Articles tagged with Soil Carbon
Scientists discovered that earthworms efficiently process rice straw, increasing its fertility and preventing the burning of crop residues. This method reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health, making it a more sustainable alternative to current practices.
A new study published in Nature reveals that the land's capacity to trap carbon may be declining due to changes in soil moisture, potentially accelerating global warming. The research highlights the urgent need for improved modeling of vegetation response to water stress and land-atmosphere coupling.
Researchers found that soil minerals can store a significant amount of carbon, which could be exploited as the world shifts its carbon economy. Wetter climates facilitate mineral formation, allowing more carbon to be stored.
Scientists will investigate soil carbon formation, stabilization, and loss with a £1.8 million grant from the Natural Environment Research Council. The study aims to quantify increases in soil carbon storage that can mitigate climate change and improve global food security.
Leading scientists propose eight steps to boost global soil organic carbon stocks, mitigate climate change and improve agricultural productivity. The KJWA aims to formalize these measures through coordination and financing.
Researchers at Lund University studied how 18 years of drought affect soil bacteria, finding that drought-tolerant microbes can slow carbon loss from soils. This adaptation could mitigate the impact of climate change on global carbon balance.
Researchers estimate that soil can retain about 600 billion metric tons of carbon, more than twice the amount added to the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. This pathway relies on water dissolving organic carbon and transporting it deep into the soil, where it is bound to minerals.
A RUDN scientist studied Tibetan soils and found that simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization decreases organic carbon content. This study challenges agricultural practices and suggests modifying management of alpine grasslands to prevent CO2 loss.
A study simulating Amazonian peatland dynamics from 2100 AD to 12,000 years ago finds that peatlands may become a net source of carbon under changing climate conditions. Basin peatland and non-peatland soils are predicted to release up to 0.4 petagrams of carbon by 2100.
A new US study found that restoring the nation's lands and coastal wetlands could absorb a fifth of greenhouse gas pollution, equivalent to emissions from all US vehicles. The study identified natural solutions such as reforestation, forest management, and tidal wetland restoration that can store carbon and avoid emissions.
Researchers found that streamside forests store an average of 168-390 tons of carbon per acre in mature trees, while soil carbon can triple with restoration. Actively restoring forests jump-starts the process, gaining more than twice the rate of naturally regenerating forests over the first ten years.
A new study by UMBC researchers highlights the importance of taking a long-term approach to reforestation efforts. Secondary forest patches are often quickly re-cleared, but their full benefits don't kick in until they're decades old. The study found that large patches and those alongside rivers were less likely to be re-cleared.
Research finds that long-term annual application of manure improves most soil quality properties compared to inorganic fertilizer. Manure increases soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and water-stable aggregates, while reducing soil electrical conductivity.
Untreated sewage from New York City's CSO input turns local carbon sinks into greenhouse gas producers, with methane production enhanced over 100 times and carbon dioxide by twice the rate of control group samples. The study suggests that NYC's environmental impact extends to nearby undeveloped aquatic ecosystems.
A recent assessment of Alaska's carbon cycle reveals both alarming signs of rapid warming and potential counteracting effects. The state's forests, permafrost, lakes, and rivers store significant amounts of terrestrial carbon, which could be released into the atmosphere at an increased rate due to climate change. However, warmer temper...
Researchers found that soil's health can be improved through agronomic management, such as cover crops and conservation tillage. This approach can help preserve crop yields and mitigate the effects of climate change on global food supply.
Tropical peatlands have a natural biochemical defense mechanism that resists decay, even in warming temperatures and droughts. This mechanism is stabilized by high levels of aromatic compounds, which create a barrier protecting the peat from oxidation.
The study found that less food energy at depth makes it difficult for microbes to decompose organic carbon deposits, creating an underground storehouse. As a result, carbon is more likely to be stored long-term due to slower decomposition rates.
A new study suggests that low-tech ways of improving soil quality on farms and rangelands worldwide could capture significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. If instituted globally, these practices could reduce global temperatures by nearly half a degree Fahrenheit by 2100.
The National Science Foundation awards $9 million for nine new research projects using ecological data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) to address long-standing questions about climate, land use and invasive species. MacroSystems Biology projects explore ecological interactions across spatial and temporal scales.
A recent study shows that common soil carbon measurement methods, including clod, core, and excavation, yield significantly different results. The core method was found to greatly underestimate soil organic carbon stocks, particularly in deeper soil layers.
A new study reveals that carbon reservoirs in the tropical soils of the Yucatan peninsula region are still impacted by ancient Mayan deforestation. Soil carbon storage has changed dramatically over centuries and millennia, with ancient land use affecting long-term persistence.
Researchers found that abrupt thawing more than doubles previous estimates of permafrost-derived greenhouse warming. The process increases ancient carbon stored in soil by 125-190 percent compared to gradual thawing alone.
A Kent State geologist has received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to investigate the role of manganese in controlling carbon storage in soils. Her research aims to understand how this element influences climate change, with potential applications for developing more effective carbon sequestration strategies.
A recent study suggests that rising temperatures are causing soil microbes to convert more carbon into carbon dioxide, entering the atmosphere at an increasing rate. This phenomenon is outpacing plant photosynthesis and has significant implications for the planet's carbon cycle.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that soil microorganisms degrade films composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), a biodegradable polymer. This discovery demonstrates the true biodegradation of a plastic material in soils, offering a potential solution to plastic pollution.
Researchers have demonstrated direct evidence of biodegradation of polymers like PBAT in agricultural soil, tracking carbon into CO2 and microbial biomass. The study suggests polyesters as a practical alternative to alleviate detrimental plastic accumulation.
A comprehensive review study found that only two research stations account for 30% of cited studies in the Arctic region. The researchers highlight under-sampling of rapidly warming sites, particularly in the Canadian high-Arctic archipelago and Russia's Arctic coastline.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change found that mangroves store significantly more carbon than previously estimated, with blue carbon levels underestimated by up to 50 percent and overestimated by up to 86 percent. The research provides a higher quality dataset for tropical countries to mitigate carbon enrichment.
Researchers examine thawing permafrost's effect on coastal waters, river-borne matter, and greenhouse gas emissions. The study aims to understand changes in the Arctic marine environment and its impact on global climate change.
A new satellite measuring carbon balance will aid experts and politicians in addressing climate change, while providing detailed emissions data by country. The tool helps track the impact of deforestation and drought on CO2 emissions, crucial for the UN's work on reducing greenhouse gases.
Researchers at University of Southern Denmark found that flooding coastal land can create well-functioning marine ecosystems, attracting visitors and wildlife. The Gyldensteen Coastal Lagoon, a 214-hectare area in Denmark, has shown promise as a carbon sink and is developing into a diverse ecosystem.
A five-year experiment found that corn yield was highest in the plastic mulch plot, but soil organic carbon was highest in the straw mulch plots. Straw mulch increased soil's ability to store carbon, whereas plastic mulch increased microbial activity that used up organic carbon.
Chinese croplands experienced drastic changes in management practices since the 1980s, leading to increased soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. The study found that economics and policy-driven organic inputs dominated SOC sequestration, particularly through crop straw/stover return policies.
A new study found that mountain erosion can also release CO2 into the atmosphere, far faster than it's absorbed by newly-exposed rock. Tiny microbes in mountain soils 'eat' ancient organic carbon, spewing out CO2.
The USDA is funding a four-year research project to investigate the environmental benefits of woody polyculture systems for crop production. Led by University of Illinois scientists, the study aims to compare different farming practices and estimate their impact on soil health, insect diversity, pollination, and carbon sequestration.
The IPBES report warns that land degradation is pushing the planet towards a sixth mass species extinction, with negative impacts on at least 3.2 billion people. Avoiding further agricultural expansion into native habitats can be achieved through yield increases and reductions in food loss and waste.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that controlling greenhouse gas emissions could substantially reduce the consequences of permafrost thawing, but failing to do so would result in significant carbon releases. The research found that even with low emission scenarios, permafrost loss and soil carbon changes are still substantial.
A European project is developing circular economy solutions using agricultural and fisheries waste to improve soil quality and reduce CO2 emissions. The Horti-BlueC project replaces non-renewable resources with local waste, producing bio-energy, biochar, and biodegradable materials.
Researchers estimate that Shark Bay has the largest carbon stores reported for a seagrass ecosystem, containing up to 1.3 percent of the total carbon stored in seagrass soils worldwide. The loss of seagrass at Shark Bay after the 2010-2011 marine heat wave released up to 9 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
A recent study found that soil fungi can impact the ability of forests to adapt to climate change. Soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratios increase with ECM dominance and are more associated with low soil nitrogen levels. This suggests that mycorrhizal guilds may be emerging functional traits that define species in terms of their ecological roles.
A new study finds that reforested areas in the US can absorb significant amounts of carbon, with existing forests capable of sequestering an additional 1-2 billion tons of carbon over 100 years. Researchers analyzed soil profile observations and remote sensing data to determine the rate at which soils absorb carbon.
A study by Carly Ziter found that urban green spaces provide significant ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water quality regulation, and flood mitigation. These services can be fostered through small interactions like gardening or walking in nature, promoting physical health and mental well-being.
Researchers found that thawing permafrost is increasing the concentration of organic matter in Arctic and subarctic ponds. This leads to oxygen depletion and cooler water at the bottom of the ponds, impacting microbial activity and greenhouse gas production.
Scientists at Rothamsted Research have found that modern carbon emissions cannot be locked in the ground to halt global warming. The study analyzed long-term soil data and concluded that even significant increases in soil organic carbon are unrealistic over large areas of the planet.
Researchers studied the impact of reforestation on carbon sequestration in US topsoils and found that lands undergoing reforestation store increased topsoil carbon. These lands are predicted to sequester 1.3-2.1 petagrams of carbon within a century, offsetting approximately 1% of annual US greenhouse gas emissions.
A study estimates that reforesting US topsoils stores 13-21 million metric tons of carbon annually, equivalent to 10% of the country's forest-sector carbon sink. Over a century, this could sequester up to 2.1 billion metric tons of carbon.
A new study suggests that adding fast-reacting silicate rocks to croplands can capture CO2, reduce pests and diseases, and restore soil fertility. This approach doesn't compete for land or increase freshwater demand, offering benefits such as reduced fertilizers and pesticides use.
Agroforestry systems have been shown to significantly increase soil organic carbon stocks, with an average increase of 34% from agriculture to agroforestry. The transition also showed increases in deeper layers, especially when including perennial plants.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that soil animals contribute to the self-reinforcing effect of climate change by releasing more CO2. The research found that warming temperatures and drought actually lead to a decrease in feeding activity, contrary to expectations.
A study by Rice University researchers found that soil charcoal behaves differently than other forms of soil carbon, becoming more patchy and concentrated in low-lying areas. Charcoal's benefits as a soil amendment include reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and improving crop productivity.
Researchers have discovered that microbes in Antarctica can scavenge hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the air to sustain their energy needs. This discovery has significant implications for the search for life on other planets, suggesting that extra-terrestrial microbes could also rely on trace atmospheric gases.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers reveals that anaerobic microsites play a significant role in stabilizing soil carbon, contrary to previous assumptions. The team's findings suggest that these oxygen-free zones can protect up to 10 times more carbon from decomposition, posing a previously unrecognized threat to the global carbon cycle.
Researchers at Critical Zone Observatories (CZOs) will discuss various topics related to the critical zone, a region where fresh water flows, rock turns to soil, and life flourishes. Studies include the effects of Hurricane Maria on the Luquillo, Puerto Rico, critical zone and wildfire in the critical zone.
A study by RUDN University scientists suggests that urbanization can increase soil organic carbon stocks, particularly on less fertile soils. This process could help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Researchers have developed a new technique, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), to accurately measure soil carbon levels in coastal wetlands like mangrove forests. This method has higher accuracy and is non-toxic, fast, and inexpensive, making it suitable for large-scale monitoring.
A recent analysis by Stanford University researchers found that places with high animal diversity correlate with areas that have the most carbon sequestered in soil. The team discovered that meal remnants from animals contribute to an increase in soil microbes, which convert organic material into stored carbon.
A 26-year study has revealed a cyclical response between soil warming and carbon release, suggesting a self-reinforcing feedback loop that could exacerbate global warming. The study found that warmed soils experienced periods of abundant carbon release, alternating with periods of no detectable loss in soil carbon stores.
Stanford researchers found that managed soil can trap more carbon dioxide than previously estimated, potentially offsetting future emissions. Improving land management practices like reduced tillage and perennial crops could increase soil's carbon storage.
Researchers discovered a four-phase pattern in soil organic matter decay and carbon dioxide flows to the atmosphere due to soil warming. This pattern has significant implications for global warming, as it suggests that microbial communities are adapting to changing conditions by evolving new enzymes to process reduced carbon.