Articles tagged with Soil Carbon
A new decision support tool has been developed to help farmers and policymakers optimize soil carbon stocks and fertility. The tool identifies five cost-effective methods to improve soil health, including crop rotation, residue handling, and conservation agriculture.
A University of California, Riverside assistant professor will lead a team studying the role of soil in crop water use and response to drought. The research aims to design management strategies based on understanding soil carbon and its microbiome.
A new study reveals that cheating microbes, which rely on neighbors for enzyme production, slow down decomposition and increase microbial remains in the soil. This leads to a build-up of organic matter and specifically nitrogen in the soil.
Chapman University has been awarded a $1.5 million Department of Energy grant to investigate the controls of methane production in peatland ecosystems. The project, called SPRUCE, aims to determine the levels of warming at which ecosystems will reach a critical change in temperature and carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers found that over half of the dissolved organic carbon in ancient yedoma permafrost decomposes within one week after thawing, producing significant amounts of carbon dioxide. This rapid decomposition is attributed to high concentrations of easily degradable organic acids, posing a critical threat to aquatic ecosystems.
A new study suggests that carbon sequestration in European cropland could store between 9-38 megatons of CO2 per year, but its effectiveness is limited due to potential emissions leakage. The research highlights the need for additional mitigation efforts to achieve global climate goals
Researchers found that 3% of protected forests and 2.5% of intact forests were lost globally between 2000-2012. High rates of agricultural land expansion and high GDP are linked to forest loss, contradicting previous findings.
Scientists have discovered how an ancient alga could inhabit land and survive without a symbiotic relationship with fungi. The discovery sheds light on the origins of life on Earth and reveals that the alga had the necessary genes to interact with beneficial fungi while still in the water.
A team of researchers developed a simple model of permafrost carbon based on direct observations. For every one degree Celsius of global warming, the amount of permafrost carbon that enters the atmosphere is equivalent to 1.5 years of global carbon dioxide emissions.
The symposium aims to address the role of urban soils in storing carbon and mitigate climate change. Experts propose various management options such as biodiversity enhancement and sustainable land use practices to increase soil carbon storage.
Researchers found that ancient Maya activity contributed to environmental decline and continues to influence today's conditions. They identified six stratigraphic markers indicating large-scale change in climate, vegetation, hydrology, and lithosphere.
A 23-year experiment by Lund University researchers found that fungi break down organic materials, releasing carbon dioxide and nutrients, rather than reducing leakage as previously thought. This challenges current policies on land use intended to promote fungi and could have significant consequences for climate models.
New research suggests Arctic soils could remove more methane from the atmosphere than release it, with bacteria playing a key role in this process. As temperatures increase, these soils become more efficient at absorbing methane, which could help offset rising atmospheric levels and slow global warming.
Researchers found that smaller streams carry CO2 produced by plants on land, while larger streams emit more CO2 through respiration and natural decay. The study sheds light on the role of freshwater rivers in the global carbon cycle.
GCEP has awarded funding to six new projects, including a device that harnesses nighttime radiation and a charcoal-like soil amendment that removes carbon dioxide from the air. These promising technologies have the potential to transform our global energy system in the future, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study suggests that the world's deserts may be storing significant amounts of climate-changing carbon dioxide, with estimates suggesting up to 20 billion metric tons stored in underground aquifers. This discovery could improve models used to predict future climate change and enhance calculations of the Earth's carbon budget.
A new study by the University of Minnesota and Union of Concerned Scientists found that tropical peatland carbon losses from oil palm plantations may be significantly higher than previously estimated, with actual rates nearly twice as high as official estimates. This suggests improved strategies for measuring greenhouse gas emissions i...
A study led by Argonne National Laboratory emphasizes the significance of land management practices in retaining carbon, especially under cellulosic biofuel production scenarios. Effective management can increase soil organic carbon storage by up to 2.6% when 90% of harvest residue is returned.
A new study reveals that soil erosion during rainy seasons contributes substantially to global carbon emissions. Organic carbon losses from soils account for approximately one-sixth of annual fossil fuel-induced carbon emissions, with the highest rates found in semi-arid soils.
A new study shows that diverse soil communities can limit the effects of climate change by regulating microbial activity and controlling carbon emissions. Small animals like insects and worms play a crucial role in this process, feeding on microbes that can trigger increased carbon emissions.
Duke University scientists have discovered a previously unknown dual mechanism that slows peat decay and reduces CO2 emissions from peatlands. The naturally occurring mechanism was found in 5,000-year-old pocosin bogs and may occur in other regions as well.
Soil erosion and nutrient removal, exacerbated by climate change and farming practices, pose a significant risk to global food security. The authors propose recycling nutrients from waste treatment facilities and improving soil management to mitigate losses.
A recent study found that thawing permafrost in Siberia is releasing ancient carbon into the atmosphere, which is then consumed by microbes and released as carbon dioxide. This process accelerates global warming and creates a runaway effect. Scientists are now studying the impact of this phenomenon on climate change.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that chemicals emitted by plant roots break bonds between carbon and minerals in the soil, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. This process could accelerate climate warming by up to 1% per year, as current models may be underestimating carbon loss from soil.
Researchers found that bacteria produce complex organic molecules similar to those found naturally in the ocean, suggesting they are a major driver of long-term carbon storage. The study suggests bacteria efficiently contribute to climate by storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in the ocean.
Researchers found that root secretions can promote soil carbon loss by freeing organic compounds from protective associations with minerals. This mechanism is known as 'priming' and challenges the assumption that mineral-associated carbon is protected from microbial cycling over millennial timescales.
A LiDAR study documents the impact of a 2013 Colorado Front Range flood on the landscape, revealing unprecedented hillslope failures and landslides. The research highlights the role of rare events in shaping landscapes over time scales that greatly exceed historical records.
A new satellite-based study found that tropical forests lost 4 million hectares annually from 1990-2000 and 6.5 million hectares from 2000-2010, with a 62% increase in deforestation rate.
The Arizona State University-SoilCarbon Nation team is examining the adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing management technique to compare its effectiveness with conventional, continuous grazing methods. This approach aims to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide while improving ranch ecosystems and wildlife habitat.
Researchers at Princeton University found that increased CO2 and plant growth could destabilize soil's carbon stores. The team developed a computer model to show the complex interaction between carbon, plants, and microorganisms in soil.
The Federal Resource Management and Ecosystem Services Guidebook provides a consistent approach to accounting for ecosystem services. It enables resource managers to balance human health, wealth, and well-being with natural resource management decisions.
A 12-year University of Illinois study shows that cover crops increase soil organic carbon stock without improving crop yields. The practice is found to sequester the most soil organic carbon in no-till systems with hairy vetch and cereal rye cover crops.
A new computer model developed by researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory predicts that warming temperatures will return less soil carbon to the atmosphere than previously thought. The model takes into account the complex interactions between soil microbes and their surroundings, which vary over time and place.
A new study reveals that long-used field inventory plots are not representative of tropical forests, leading to biased results. Advanced three-dimensional forest mapping techniques provide a more accurate understanding of forest structures and systems on large geographic scales.
A new climate model simulates global carbon cycle interactions between plants and microbes, revealing a loss of soil carbon stocks in temperate regions due to increased microbial activity. The CORPSE model predicts gains in soil carbon capture in boreal regions and tropical South America.
A new model developed by Argonne National Laboratory scientists predicts that peatlands in the Arctic will release more methane and less carbon dioxide as they warm, significantly affecting climate change forecasts. The research aims to improve greenhouse gas emission models and address concerns about accelerated warming in the Arctic.
A new study finds that soil organic carbon decomposition does not accelerate under climate warming, but its storage remains constant. Ecosystem productivity increases with temperature change, while coarse wood decomposition and plant growth rates rise.
Recent studies suggest that warming may stimulate decomposition rates in soils, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide. However, a new study reveals that microbial community responses are more complex and may even increase CO2 release from soils.
Scientists found that sunlight, not bacteria, dominates the production of carbon dioxide in Arctic inland waters. Photochemical processing accounts for up to 95% of carbon conversion.
A new study finds that sunlight, not bacteria, is the key to converting carbon stored in Arctic permafrost into carbon dioxide. As climate change alters the timing and pace of thawing, this process could significantly impact global CO2 levels.
A University of Minnesota researcher found that Siberian lakes have pulled more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than they have released into it since the last Ice Age. This process, known as thermokarst, has caused a slight cooling effect due to the sequestration of carbon in permafrost.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.
Researchers found that applying green compost to organic apple orchard floors can increase soil organic matter and total nitrogen mineral soils. The study demonstrates the sustainability of organically managed systems and has implications for sustainably and conventionally managed orchards as well.
A study found that logging, partial destruction by burning, and fragmentation result in the loss of nearly 54 million tons of carbon annually, equivalent to up to 40% of total deforestation. This degradation has a severe impact on the forest, with enormous quantities of stored carbon being lost into the atmosphere.
Researchers estimate that the reduction of soil carbon stock caused by converting pasture areas to sugarcane plantations can be offset within two or three years. The study found that the introduction of sugarcane to pasture areas can compensate for or even add to the initial soil carbon stock, depending on management practices.
Researchers at Clemson University discovered that kudzu invasion releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. In contrast, Japanese knotweed's impact is less pronounced due to its litter chemistry regulating soil biological activity.
Research reveals Amazonian forests are being altered by multiple environmental factors, creating greater perils for the world's largest rainforest. The study found that fragmented forests change rapidly, with trees dying and vines proliferating, while nearby undisturbed forests also experience changes.
A new UCLA-led report concludes that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the primary way to combat global warming. The study finds that technology already available can reduce carbon emissions by up to 7 gigatons per year, but political support for emission reduction is lacking.
Deeply buried fossil soils in the Great Plains have been found to be rich in carbon, potentially grossly underestimating carbon storage capacity. The study's findings suggest that these ancient soils could contribute significantly to global climate change as they are disturbed.
A new study reveals unprecedented detail of the Amazon Basin's trees, enabling researchers to accurately assess their carbon content. The findings will help administer carbon offsetting more effectively, improving our understanding of global forest carbon storage.
Research found that elevated CO2 levels accelerate plant growth, leading to more CO2 absorption through photosynthesis. This new understanding suggests that natural processes may not slow global warming as previously thought.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that using corn crop residue to make ethanol and other biofuels reduces soil carbon but generates more greenhouse gases than gasoline, casting doubt on its climate benefits. Researchers suggest planting cover crops or alternative feedstocks to mitigate emissions.
A team of researchers found that some studies have shown no-till systems without cover crops may not increase soil organic carbon stocks as claimed. The review suggests that different definitions and methods can lead to conflicting findings, and the accuracy of determining soil organic carbon sequestration depends on the method used.
A Stanford-led team has generated a genetic map of more than 10,000 species of fungi across North America, showcasing their vital role in ecological systems and carbon cycling. The research highlights the diversity and distribution of fungal species, with unique fingerprints in each bioregion.
A new study found that forests growing in fertile soils with ample nutrients can sequester up to 30% of the carbon they take up during photosynthesis. In contrast, nutrient-poor forests retain only 6% of that carbon, which is released back into the atmosphere as respiration.
Researchers found that arid ecosystems, which cover nearly half the earth's land surface, can take up a significant amount of carbon as CO2 levels rise. The study suggests that these ecosystems could account for 15-28% of current carbon absorption, potentially offsetting 4-8% of current emissions by 2050.
Researchers found that deforestation has minimal effects on muddy clay-like soils, but dramatically alters microbial communities in sandy soils, leading to increased carbon loss and potential for exaggerating global warming. This discovery could inform land management practices prioritizing the conservation of biodiversity and sequestr...
Researchers have developed a simple yet elegant solution to analyze large amounts of soil DNA data, reducing computational requirements by up to 200-fold. This breakthrough enables scientists to extract more science from the noise, paving the way for new discoveries in fields like agriculture and carbon cycling.
Scientists found that warming soil by 2 degrees Celsius alters microbial DNA to enhance carbon handling. The study reveals complex interactions between plants and microbes, impacting climate change predictions.
Researchers at TUM discovered that carbon binds to small mineral particles with rough surfaces, leading to preferential spots for sequestration. The study used a mass spectrometer to visualize and compare soil structures, revealing areas with high carbon content.