How soil carbon sequestration can affect global warming

How soil carbon sequestration can affect global warming


You gotta love that word SEQUESTRATION - I hope to use it one day in scrabble game

The tricky issue here is to wrap your head around defining the time scale on what carbon capture works - surely wetlands full of peat and bogs are next millinea's low grade coal deposit - I guess this a good argument against draining swamps and preventing fires in peaty environments -

Whether or not you believe that the world is experiencing global warming, many officials and policymakers have made the topic of global warming known for years. Global warming, in essence, is linked to the overabundance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Much in the way the glass of a traditional greenhouse traps the sun's heat so plants inside can grow, certain gases, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and methane - byproducts of both natural and industrial applications - trap the sun's heat and warm up the planet.
To survive, a certain level of the greenhouse effect needs to take place naturally, otherwise the Earth's temperature would be below freezing and life as we know it would be impossible. However, when the greenhouse effect becomes too intense, according to scientists, the Earth's temperature grows warmer and a domino effect of circumstances may arise. These may include everything from melting of polar ice caps to a rise in sea level to aboveaverage temperatures across the board. As a result, many people are continually looking for ways to help reduce this potentially damaging situation. Soil carbon sequestration may help.
What is carbon sequestration?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), terrestrial carbon sequestration is the process through which carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees, plants and crops through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass (tree trunks, branches, foliage and roots) and soils. Farms and other agricultural businesses contribute to greenhouse gases in two ways. First, certain agricultural applications such as harvesting forestry for wood and paper production removes acres upon acres of trees that would normally "consume" CO2. Second, equipment, harvesting and fertilizing processes, and other means of operation can contribute to greenhouse gas production in itself. Through soil sequestration, agriculture can offset the production of CO2 by taking measures to balance or reduce it in the hope of preventing climate change.
How is carbon sequestration
achieved?
According to the EPA, there are three general means by which agricultural and forestry practices can reduce greenhouse gases:
1. Avoiding emissions by maintaining existing carbon storage in trees and soils;
2. Increasing carbon storage by tree planting or converting from conventional to conservation tillage practices on agricultural lands;
3. Substituting bio-based fuels and products for fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and energy-intensive products that generate greater quantities of CO2 when used.
Sequestration results vary among plant species and soil. Additionally, sequestration can eventually reach a saturation point in soil that has regained the levels of carbon and organic matter or when trees or plants reach maturity. However, regular maintenance of plants can help ensure that carbon is not lost to the atmosphere once again.
Can improvement be
measured?
Yes. According to studies by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is estimated that about 100 billion metric tons of carbon over the next 50 years could be sequestered through forest preservation, tree planting and improved agricultural management. This would offset 10 to 20 percent of the world's projected fossil fuel emissions. There are many methods to measure the changes in carbon in aboveground and below-ground biomass, soils and wood products. Statistical sampling, computer modeling and remote sensing can be used to estimate carbon sequestration and emission sources at the global, national and local levels.
What are the other
benefits?
In addition to moderating climate changes, carbon sequestration can improve general quality of life in the soil, air, and water and with regard to wildlife. It improves the quality of both the habitats and the creatures that sustain in these habitats.
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