And less soil disturbance means less erosion. Using higher residue cover crops and rotations, such as oats and hay, creates larger volumes of plant biomass and stores more carbon in the soil. The most often recommended practices include some familiar strategies and some not so familiar. The goal is improved soil organic matter and soil function everywhere - croplands, pastures, and woodlands. When it comes to managing soil for organic matter and carbon sequestration, there is no single practice that works alone to enhance soil function, and no prescribed set of practices can work everywhere. Eroded soil is exposed soil - and exposed carbon. reducing soil erosion and keeping carbon trapped in the soil.That means managing crops and soil to reduce conditions that break down or oxidize organic matter - letting plant material decompose more slowly and naturally. minimizing organic carbon mineralization.The more permanent vegetation that is present, the more CO 2 is required. carbon production or trapping carbon within plants.Reducing atmospheric CO 2, that is sequestering carbon, can take place three ways: Regardless of the cause, we do know that emissions to the atmosphere from power and industrial plants and vehicles have increased CO 2 in the atmosphere to levels above the pre-industrial trend. And, although doubt remains regarding the cause or causes - whether from human activity or a natural cyclical change in the environment - there is general agreement that at least some rise in CO 2 levels result from human activity. It has been documented that the world's CO 2 levels have increased over the last century. The idea is (1) to prevent carbon emissions produced by human activities from reaching the atmosphere by capturing and diverting them to secure storage, or, (2) to remove carbon from the atmosphere by various means and 'storing' it in the soil. What is carbon sequestration?Ĭarbon sequestration is the capture and secure storage of carbon that would otherwise be emitted to or remain in the atmosphere. It's generally accepted that the carbon cycle flowed more or less in balance until the late 1880s. Humans and animals release carbon dioxide (CO 2), while plants take it in and release oxygen, returning carbon to the soil when they die. Carbon is essential for life on earth - it sustains biological activity, diversity, and ecosystem productivity.
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