Abstract
Despite the importance of the terrestrial biosphere for the global carbon (C) cycle and its potential to reduce the rate of enrichment of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by anthropogenic emissions, there is incomplete and insufficient scientific knowledge to identify sources and sink of C, risks of biomes to climate change, and site-specific practices to recarbonizing the biosphere. Two options of mitigating climate change through management of biomes are (i) to enhance, manage and sustain biomass production and prolong the residence time of biomass C, and (ii) to improve the C balance within the biosphere. In addition, there is a lack of modus operandi on developing science-policy, nexus to identify and implement appropriate policy interventions to promote adoption of land use and management practices leading to recarbonization of the biosphere. In addition to reducing the magnitude of anthropogenic sources (e.g., deforestation, peatland cultivation, drainage of wetlands, excessive tillage), it is also important to identify and enhance the capacity of land-based C sinks. Further, C sequestration in the terrestrial biosphere must compliment and not threaten or compete with other functions such as food production, water resources, nutrients and biodiversity. Priority biomes for recarbonization are peatlands, wetlands, degraded/desertified lands, and agroecosystems. Biomes with risks of positive feedback to climate change are permafrost and peatlands, and the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. A global platform/instrument is needed to enhance soil-policy nexus, promote synergism and complimentary among organizations, addressing this issue of global significance.
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Abbreviations
- C:
-
carbon
- CCS:
-
Carbon Capture and Storage
- CO2 :
-
carbon dioxide
- DOC:
-
dissolved organic carbon
- GCC:
-
global carbon cycle
- GHGs:
-
greenhouse gases
- LULCC:
-
land use/land cover change
- CH4 :
-
methane
- NPP:
-
net primary production
- POC:
-
particulate organic carbon
- SOC:
-
soil organic carbon
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Lal, R., Lorenz, K., Hüttl, R.F., Schneider, B.U., von Braun, J. (2012). Research and Development Priorities Towards Recarbonization of the Biosphere. In: Lal, R., Lorenz, K., Hüttl, R., Schneider, B., von Braun, J. (eds) Recarbonization of the Biosphere. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4159-1_25
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