Storing Carbon in Agricultural Soils to Help Head-Off Global Warming and to Combat Desertification

December 31, 2001

Conference Paper

Storing Carbon in Agricultural Soils to Help Head-Off Global Warming and to Combat Desertification

Abstract

We know for sure that addition of organic matter to soil increases water-holding capacity, imparts fertility with the addition of nutrients, increases soil aggregation and improves tilth. Depeing on it's type, organic matter contains between 40 and 60% carbon. Using agricultural management practices to increase the amount of organic matter and carbon in soils can be an effective strategy to offset carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere as well as to improve the quality of the soil and slow or prevent desertification.

Revised: April 1, 2009 | Published: December 31, 2001

Citation

Rosenberg N.J., and R.C. Izaurralde. 2001. Storing Carbon in Agricultural Soils to Help Head-Off Global Warming and to Combat Desertification. In International Seminar on Nuclear War and Planetary Emergencies 25th Session, edited by A. Zichichi, and R. Ragaini, 343-352. River Edge, New Jersey:World Scientific. PNNL-SA-37489.