The Potential of U.S. Cropland to Sequester Carbon and Mitigate the Greenhouse Effect

ISBN-13: 9781575041124 / Angielski / Twarda / 1998 / 144 str.

John M. Kimble;Ronald F. Follett;C. Vernon Cole

Opis

This report assesses the potential of U.S. cropland to sequester carbon, concluding that properly applied soil restorative processes and best management practices can help mitigate the greenhouse effect by decreasing the emissions of greenhouse gases from U.S. agricultural activities and by making U.S. cropland a major sink for carbon sequestration.
Topics include:

Describe the greenhouse processes and global tends in emissions as well as the three principal components of anthropogenic global warming potential

Present data on U.S. emissions and agriculture's related role

Examines the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool in soils of the U.S. and its loss due to cultivation

Provides a reference for the magnitude of carbon sequestration potential

Analyzes the primary processes governing greenhouse gas emission from the pedosphere

Establishes a link between SOC content and soil quality

Outlines strategies for mitigating emissions from U.S. cropland

Discusses soil erosion management

Assesses the potential of using cropland to create biomass for direct fuel to produce power

Details the potential for sequestering carbon by intensifying prime agricultural land
The Potential of U.S. Cropland to Sequester Carbon and Mitigate the Greenhouse Effect provides an exceptional framework for the adoption of science-based management methods on U.S. cropland, encouraging appropriate agricultural practices for the sustainable use of our natural resources and the improvement of our nation's environment.

Recenzje

Mark Powell, Forestry and Natural Resource Management Unit, Winrock International, Morritlon, Arkansas

Spis treści

Objectives
Basic Processes
The Greenhouse Process
Global Trends in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Role of Agriculture in U.S. Emissions of Three GHGs
The SOC Pool in U.S. Soils and SOC Loss from Cultivation
Processes in Governing Emissions from the Pedosphere
Plant Action
Soil Processes
Soil Quality
Strategies for Mitigating Emissions from Cropland
U.S. Cropland
Sustainable Management Studies
Soil Erosion Management
Land Conversion and Restoration
Conversion of Marginal Land
Restoration of Degraded Soils
Biofuels for Offsetting Fossil Fuel
Intensification of Prime Agricultural Land
Conservation Tillage and Residue Management
Irrigation Water Management
Improved Cropping Systems
The Carbon Sequestration Potential of Arable Land
U.S. Cropland's Overall Potential to Mitigate the Greenhouse Effect
Techniques for Sequestration
Rates of SOC Sequestration
Possible Implementation Obstacles
Required Action
Conclusions - The Win-Win Strategy
Agricultural Profits from Environmental Improvements
SOC's Monetary Value
SOC's Environmental Value
Global Potential
Appendix 1: Definitions
Appendix 2: Researchable Topics

O autorze

John M. Kimble, Ronald F. Follett;C . Vernon Cole