Description
Book SynopsisThis 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.Trade ReviewMark Powell, Forestry and Natural Resource Management Unit, Winrock International, Morritlon, Arkansas
Table of ContentsObjectivesBasic ProcessesThe Greenhouse ProcessGlobal Trends in Greenhouse Gas EmissionsThe Role of Agriculture in U.S. Emissions of Three GHGsThe SOC Pool in U.S. Soils and SOC Loss from CultivationProcesses in Governing Emissions from the PedospherePlant ActionSoil ProcessesSoil QualityStrategies for Mitigating Emissions from CroplandU.S. CroplandSustainable Management StudiesSoil Erosion ManagementLand Conversion and RestorationConversion of Marginal LandRestoration of Degraded SoilsBiofuels for Offsetting Fossil FuelIntensification of Prime Agricultural LandConservation Tillage and Residue ManagementIrrigation Water ManagementImproved Cropping SystemsThe Carbon Sequestration Potential of Arable LandU.S. Cropland's Overall Potential to Mitigate the Greenhouse EffectTechniques for SequestrationRates of SOC SequestrationPossible Implementation ObstaclesRequired ActionConclusions - The Win-Win StrategyAgricultural Profits from Environmental ImprovementsSOC's Monetary ValueSOC's Environmental ValueGlobal PotentialAppendix 1: DefinitionsAppendix 2: Researchable Topics
