Regarding global sequestration, the IPCC has estimated that 110 billion tons (100 billion metric tons) of carbon over the next 50 years could be sequestered through forest preservation, tree planting, and improved, conservation-oriented agricultural management. They do warn, however, that the overall sequestration amounts are currently declining because of increased harvests, land use changes, and maturing forests. landscape currently functions as an efficient carbon sink, sequestering more than it emits. This typically occurs when trees reach full maturity or when the organic matter contained in soils builds up.Īccording to the EPA, the U.S. The amount of carbon that accumulates in forests and soils will eventually reach a saturation point at which no additional carbon will be able to be stored. According to the EPA, switching from conventional to conservation tillage can sequester 0.11-0.33 tons (0.1-0.3 metric tons) of carbon per acre per year.Ĭarbon sequestration does reach a limit, however. For example, in agricultural areas, if conservation tillage practices are used instead of conventional tillage, this limits the introduction of CO2 into the atmosphere by sequestering larger amounts of CO2 in the soil. The amount of carbon that can be sequestered varies geographically and is determined by tree species, soil type, regional climate, type of topography, and even the type of land-management practice used in the area. According to the IPCC, carbon sequestrationīy forestry and agriculture alone significantly helps offset CO2 emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change. In terms of global warming and impacts to the environment, sequestration is very important because it has a large influence on levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. For a more in-depth discussion of the specifics of actual carbon sequestration storage methods, refer to chapter 8. Carbon sequestration and storage (CSS) occurs when CO2 is absorbed by trees, plants, and crops through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass, such as tree trunks, branches, foliage, and roots, as well as in the soil. Principal carbon sinks include agricultural sinks, forests, geologic formations, and oceanic sinks. Carbon sequestration is the process through which CO2 from the atmosphere is absorbed by various carbon sinks.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |