Improving carbon balance with climate-resilient management practices in tropical agro-ecosystems of Western India

• Published in: Carbon management Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 175 - 190
• Main Authors: Srinivasa Rao, Ch, Girija Veni, V., Prasad, J.V.N.S., Sharma, K.L., Chandrasekhar, Ch, Rohilla, P.P., Singh, Y.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 04.03.2017; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: agro-ecosystem; carbon balance; climate resilient practices; EX-ACT; livestock
• ISSN: 1758-3004; 1758-3012
• DOI: 10.1080/17583004.2017.1309202

The present study was conducted in climatically vulnerable villages in Western India to evaluate the impact of climate resilient management practices such as improved agronomic practices, nutrient management, water management and residue management on carbon balance using the Ex-ante Appraisal of Carbon balance Tool (EX-ACT) developed by FAO. This model predicts the changes in the carbon emissions (source capacity) and sinks (sink capacity) using default emission coefficients for a time period of 20 years. The results revealed increase in sink capacity across the villages ranging from 16.4 (Chomakot) to 96.9% (Khuntil) in annual crops, and 4.8 (Bhalot) to 63.8% (Khuntil) in perennials. The fertilizer management increased the sink capacity varying from 3.1 (Chomakot) to 39% (Magharvada). However, the emissions ranged from 17 (Magharvada) to 93.2% (Bharu) in livestock and 6.8 (Bharu) to 83% (Magharvada) due to non-forest land-use change in majority of the villages. In irrigated rice, an increase in sink of 4.6% (Khuntil) and emission of 12.8% (Chomakot) was observed. However, interestingly, based on balance sheet of all the sources and sinks, a sink varying from 1621 to 10410 Mg CO2-eq was observed across the villages, indicating the significant impact of management practices on reducing the GHG emissions.