Carbon sequestration in arable soils is likely to increase nitrous oxide emissions, offsetting reductions in climate radiative forcing

• Published in: Climatic change Vol. 72; no. 3; pp. 321 - 338
• Main Authors: CHANGSHENG LI, FROLKING, Steve, BUTTERBACH-BAHL, Klaus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.10.2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Biogeochemistry; Carbon dioxide; Carbon sequestration; Chemical elements; Climate change; Climatology. Bioclimatology. Climate change; Earth, ocean, space; Emissions; Environmental impact; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; General processes of purification and dust removal; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gases; Kyoto Protocol; Meteorology; Nitric oxide; Nitrous oxide; Pollution; Prevention and purification methods; Soil microorganisms; Soil testing; Terrestrial ecosystems; Global warming potential; Pollution control; Carbon dioxide; CO2 sequestration; Agricultural soil; Biogeochemical cycle; troposphere; Pollutant emission; Carbon sequestration; greenhouse gas; Dynamical climatology; climate modification; global change; methane; warming; Air pollution; Nitrogen protoxide; Performance
• ISSN: 0165-0009; 1573-1480
• DOI: 10.1007/s10584-005-6791-5

Strategies for mitigating the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere include sequestering carbon (C) in soils and vegetation of terrestrial ecosystems. Carbon and nitrogen (N) move through terrestrial ecosystems in coupled biogeochemical cycles, and increasing C stocks in soils and vegetation will have an impact on the N cycle. We conducted simulations with a biogeochemical model to evaluate the impact of different cropland management strategies on the coupled cycles of C and N, with special emphasis on C-sequestration and emission of the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Reduced tillage, enhanced crop residue incorporation, and farmyard manure application each increased soil C-sequestration, increased N2O emissions, and had little effect on CH4 uptake. Over 20 years, increases in N2O emissions, which were converted into CO2-equivalent emissions with 100-year global warming potential multipliers, offset 75-310% of the carbon sequestered, depending on the scenario. Quantification of these types of biogeochemical interactions must be incorporated into assessment frameworks and trading mechanisms to accurately evaluate the value of agricultural systems in strategies for climate protection. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]