Articles tagged with Soil Carbon
The UK is investing £170 million in new research and innovation projects to support clean living, tackle climate change, and boost economic growth. The projects will focus on land use transformation, sustainable agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
A recent study, led by Colorado State University researchers, sheds new light on the complex interactions between plants, microbes, and soil nutrients in the Arctic. The findings suggest that long-term changes to the soil can impact carbon storage, with shrubs potentially contributing to keeping more carbon in the ground.
A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that warmer temperatures and nitrogen fertilization can stabilize soil carbon levels, contradicting earlier predictions. Plant roots and growth add new carbon to the soil, counteracting the loss of carbon due to climate change.
Researchers found that agricultural practices like planting cover crops and agroforestry could reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as planting new forests by 2050. These methods also enhance agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change, with potential income of up to $235 billion for farmers.
A recent study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that growing maize to produce biomethane on drained peat emits up to three times more carbon dioxide than using natural gas. The production of crops like maize for bioenergy has rapidly increased, leading to a significant expansion of cultivated areas on drained peatlands.
An international study found that as environmental stressors increase, terrestrial ecosystems' ability to resist global change decreases significantly. This is especially true when stress is sustained over time, highlighting the need to reduce global drivers of change.
Researchers found that mature trees increased wood production by an average of 9.8% under elevated CO2 levels, supporting their role as medium-term carbon stores and natural climate solutions. This increase was not accompanied by a corresponding rise in leaf or fine-root production.
A recent study by UT Arlington scientist Nathan D. Brown shows Alaskan land is eroding faster than it can be replaced due to climate change. The team mapped and dated floodplain deposits, determining permafrost extent, to model how permafrost formation varies with air temperature.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which iron oxide minerals recycle phosphorus from DNA and RNA molecules, transforming them into bioavailable inorganic forms. This finding uncovers a missing piece of Earth's puzzling phosphorus cycle, highlighting the importance of understanding natural phosphorus recycling mechanisms.
A new study reveals that global forests have consistently absorbed carbon dioxide for the past three decades, with tropical forests experiencing a decline in their ability to absorb carbon due to deforestation. However, temperate forests have shown an increase in their carbon sink capacity, largely due to extensive reforestation efforts.
Peatland microorganisms have been found to metabolize polyphenols using alternative enzymes with and without oxygen. This discovery highlights the significance of polyphenols in peatland carbon dynamics and suggests that climate change may release more stored carbon into the atmosphere than previously thought.
Researchers found that specific basidiomycete yeasts play a key role in stabilizing assimilated carbon, enriching organic carbon content. Glacial recession exposes new landscapes with limited contact with air, light, and nutrients, making them ideal for studying soil formation.
In a study published in PNAS, researchers found that microscopic fungi play a key role in enhancing soil carbon storage in newly formed landscapes created by shrinking Arctic glaciers. The team discovered diverse communities of microbes thriving in the barren soils, and pioneer fungi sequester carbon in the soil.
A new study reveals that climate models overestimate the storage time of carbon in plants, meaning it is released back into the atmosphere sooner than predicted. This has implications for nature-based carbon removal projects and our understanding of the role of nature in mitigating climate change.
A study by Dartmouth College finds that regenerative agriculture's impact on farmers extends beyond financial gain, influencing their relationships and quality of life. By adopting practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping, farmers experience reduced dependence on agrochemicals and improved soil fertility.
Researchers have discovered ancient termite mounds in Namaqualand, South Africa that date back a staggering 34,000 years. The mounds, which are still inhabited by termites, provide valuable insights into prehistoric climate conditions and natural carbon sequestration processes.
Nitrous-oxide emissions have increased by 40% over the past four decades, resulting in accelerating atmospheric accumulation of this potent greenhouse gas. Agricultural production is the largest source of emissions, and improving practices can help reduce nitrous-oxide emissions and water pollution.
Researchers tracked how a mixture of plant waste was metabolized by bacteria to contribute to atmospheric CO2. Microbes respired three times as much CO2 from lignin carbons compared to cellulose carbons, shedding light on the role of microbes in soil carbon cycling and its impact on climate change.
International research team finds that increasing key nutrients like potassium and phosphorus can sustain tropical forest productivity under drought conditions. This study, published in Nature Geoscience, aims to address the potential impact of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
A new study predicts key soil health indicators such as organic matter content and soil texture using standard tests. This can guide fertilization, irrigation, and herbicide decisions, reducing turnaround time by at least half. The models are accurate for fine and medium soils but less so for sandy soils.
Soil carbon dioxide emissions are more sensitive to climate warming in permafrost-collapsed areas, releasing about 5.5 times more CO2 than non-collapsed areas. The study found that thermokarst formation increases the temperature sensitivity of CO2 release.
A 23-year 'megadrought' in the western US is being studied by WVU researcher Steve Kannenberg to understand its effects on natural ecosystems, agricultural systems and human water resources. The research aims to identify areas with depleted groundwater and soil moisture, as well as assess carbon capture and storage in dryland plants.
Researchers studied how climate change impacts boreal forests' carbon absorption after fires. They found that regrowth is influenced by the partnership between plants and soil microbes, which weakens with climate change.
A study published in Nature found that warming tundras release more carbon due to increased ecosystem respiration. The experiment revealed a 30% boost in respiration during the growing season, leading to significant changes in soil moisture and temperature.
A recent study published in Science reveals a vast store of global soil inorganic carbon (SIC) amounting to 2,305 billion tons, surpassing vegetation's combined carbon content. This 'hidden pool' is vulnerable to environmental changes, posing significant risks to ecosystem functions and climate change mitigation strategies.
China's karst inorganic carbon storage plays a significant role in mitigating climate change, with a calculated Concentration and Storage of Carbonate Sink Form (CCSF) of 22.76 t CO2 km-2 a-1. The CCSF varies by region, with higher values in the southern karst area due to high water and heat flux.
Scientists have developed a new method to estimate soil organic carbon in the US, providing a more accurate benchmark for policymakers. The study reveals how environmental variables affect soil organic carbon and offers insights into mitigating climate change through sustainable land management practices.
A study by Duke University researchers found that manganese stimulates decomposition of soil organic matter and releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
A new study predicts that Australia's soil will become a net emitter of carbon dioxide, releasing more CO2 into the air than it absorbs. This could account for 8.3% of current emissions and worsen climate change unless farming methods are improved.
A new model integrating soil microbes and large perennial grasses into the DayCent framework improves its representation of ecosystem dynamics. The updated model includes a live microbial biomass pool and dead microbial biomass pool to simulate carbon storage in soils, enhancing the evaluation of bioenergy crop sustainability.
International research led by CSU suggests studying root function in tropical forests can improve climate change predictions. Tropical forests contain 30% of global soil carbon, with roots acting as 'carbon banks' that can help mitigate climate change.
A team of researchers proposes a new method to track the elusive origins of CO2 emissions from streams, accounting for 60% of emissions under alkaline conditions. Using carbonate buffering, scientists can better understand the balance of CO2, water, and carbonate in stream systems.
A new study reveals that even small incremental increases in tree cover on agricultural land in mountain regions can provide significant climate change mitigation benefits within a decade. Agroforestry practices can help conserve irrecoverable carbon, improve biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services in mountain systems.
Mangrove forests in regions like southern India and eastern Australia are affected by human development, leading to a decline in global mangrove carbon stocks. The study predicts an annual rate of carbon emissions from mangrove loss will rise to 3,392 Teragrams by the end of the century.
Researchers found that electrostatic charges, structural features of carbon molecules, and surrounding metal nutrients play major roles in soil's ability to trap carbon. The study aims to help predict which soil chemistries are most favorable for trapping carbon.
Researchers developed a new model incorporating genetic information from microbes to better understand soil carbon sequestration and plant-microbe interactions. This approach enables more accurate prediction of global carbon cycle changes in climate models, informing agricultural strategies to preserve carbon and mitigate climate change.
New research reveals permafrost's dominant role in shaping Arctic rivers and storing massive amounts of carbon. Thawing permafrost could unleash billions of tons of CO2, exacerbating climate change.
Tidal landscapes like mangroves and salt marshes are a greater carbon sink than previously thought, with stored carbon in biomass and muddy soils contributing to climate change mitigation. The new findings also show that bicarbonate exports from these ecosystems double the size of the carbon trap, making them even more effective.
A recent study found that beef operations with lifelong grass-based diets may produce a 42% higher carbon footprint when considering soil carbon sequestration and carbon opportunity costs. This is in contrast to grain-finished operations, which have been previously shown to have a lower environmental impact. The study's findings emphas...
Researchers used AI to analyze tree databases and found that temperature and precipitation are strong predictors of non-native species invasion. The study also reveals that global forest carbon potential is considerably below natural levels, with most potential located in existing forests.
A recent study estimates that healthy forests could absorb up to 328 billion tons of carbon, with a significant portion of this potential achievable through sustainable forest management. By protecting existing forests and reconnecting fragmented landscapes, we can sequester an additional 139 Gt of carbon.
Researchers use rhenium as a proxy for carbon to quantify the rate of fossil carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere. The study found that high rates of carbon breakdown persist from mountaintop to floodplain, offering valuable insights into the planet's history and response to climate challenges.
A new study has found that northern peatlands have accelerated in expansion over the past 1,500 years, with an average growth rate of approximately one centimeter per year. This increase in peatland area is significant for carbon sequestration and storing ecosystems.
Research reveals that lightning ignitions account for 77% of burned areas in intact extratropical forests, which store vast quantities of carbon. Climate change is projected to increase lightning frequency, posing a significant threat to these forests and the planet's carbon storage.
Researchers have created high-resolution maps showing the potential for biochar to sequester large amounts of carbon, with Bhutan and India leading the way in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that biochar production can remove up to one billion metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere annually.
A new RMIT study reveals that feral horses can release significant amounts of carbon dioxide from Australian alpine peatlands, compromising their ability to capture and store carbon. The research found that degraded peatlands, caused by horse trampling and grazing, emit more carbon than intact sites.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the effects of acid rain on forests and watersheds, a project involving middle school students. The team aims to understand how ecosystems respond to chronic changes in environmental conditions, including the recovery phase after acid rain stops falling.
Researchers at UC Davis and Cornell University found that crushed rock can store carbon dioxide in soils for short time scales, equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road every year. The study tested this technology in a dry climate and showed promising results, suggesting a new way to verify carbon removal via enhanced weathering.
Researchers from Aarhus University found that current inventory methods rely solely on nitrogen content, neglecting degradability and leading to misleading inventories. The study suggests a distinction between mature and immature crop residues could improve accuracy and target mitigation strategies.
A study by the University of Córdoba found that ground cover reduces erosion, runoff, and organic carbon loss in Mediterranean olive groves. The research showed a significant decrease in carbon loss of up to 76.4% compared to conventional tillage.
Ecologists say that carbon-capture tree plantations have a negative impact on tropical biodiversity and ecosystem services, despite their potential to offset climate change. In contrast, intact ecosystems like forests, grasslands, and savannahs store large quantities of carbon below ground and provide multiple ecosystem services.
Re-wetting southern peatlands along the US south Atlantic coast could significantly boost carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new Duke University study reveals that maintaining water levels between 20-30 cm below the local water table can increase CO2 storage by up to 90%.
Researchers suggest transforming arid ecosystems into efficient carbon-capture systems by engineering ideal combinations of plants, soil microbes, and soil type. This approach could result in significant increases in plant and soil carbon sequestration within less than ten years.
Researchers found that ancient Amazonians intentionally created dark earth by modifying the environment to improve soil fertility. This practice allowed for large and complex societies to thrive, with stored carbon remaining in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years.
Jennifer Kane is studying how microbes interact with Miscanthus roots to boost productivity and sustainability. The research aims to understand what conditions enable the plant to prosper, with potential implications for bioenergy production on marginal lands.
Researchers will track how key minerals form in a watershed to build a fuller picture of the processes that allow soil to store carbon as organic matter. Understanding these mechanisms can help develop practices and incentives for a carbon market economy, potentially harnessing Earth's natural mechanisms to combat climate change.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo estimate that Brazil's active legal mines will release 2.55 gigatonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere if not managed sustainably. The country's technosols, derived from mine tailings and waste, could offset up to 60% of soil-related emissions, according to a new study.
A recent study found that grasses account for over half of the soil carbon content across tropical savannas, including soils directly beneath trees. The researchers' findings suggest that increasing tree cover in these ecosystems has a negligible impact on soil carbon storage.
A recent study reveals Arctic soil methane uptake may be greater than previously believed. Methane consumption increases under dry conditions and with labile carbon substrates' availability. High-latitude warming affects atmospheric methane uptake to a lesser extent than associated large-scale drying.
Researchers mapped canopy soils to determine where they form and how they support biodiversity. These 'soil-in-miniature' contain abundant plant and animal life, including epiphytes and air plants.