Soil organic carbon and nitrogen: Reviewing the challenges for climate change mitigation and adaptation in agri-food systems

FAO

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen: Reviewing the challenges for climate change mitigation and adaptation in agri-food systems

ITPS Soil Letters # 2

Copyright licence

Year of publication 2021

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 3p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Journal, magazine, bulletin

Category Bulletin

Edition 1

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Carbon and nitrogen participate directly in a wide variety of soil processes that are key to the food system and for the provision of ecosystem services. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the main indicator of soil health and constitutes the backbone of the molecules that, together with nitrogen, build soil organic matter (SOM), which is responsible for much of the multifunctional nature of soils, optimizing soil health and productivity. Furthermore, the use of reactive nitrogen in agriculture is essential for plant growth and food security. However, the adverse effects of nitrogen use in agriculture impose global challenges that add to other major challenges such as global population growth, urban expansion, dietary shifts, climate change and soil degradation. This second issue of the ITPS letters explores how an integrated and joint nitrogen management framework, in conjunction with recarbonization programmes, can contribute to unlocking the potential of cropped soils to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Full ITPS soil letters series

Last updated 17/05/2021

Language English

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Healthy soils provide the largest store of terrestrial carbon. When managed sustainably, soils can play an important role in climate change mitigation by storing carbon (carbon sequestration) and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Conversely, if soils are managed poorly or cultivated through unsustainable agricultural practices, soil carbon can be released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), which can contribute to climate change. The steady conversion of grassland and forestland to cropland and grazing lands over the past several centuries has resulted in historic losses of soil carbon worldwide. However, by restoring degraded soils and adopting soil conservation practices, there is major potential to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases from agriculture, enhance carbon sequestration and build resilience to climate change.
Book (stand-alone)

Proceedings

Proceedings of the Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon 2017 2017

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The Proceedings of the Global Symposium on Soil Organic Carbon 2017 (GSOC17) presents the abstracts of all scientific presentations held during the GSOC17. 103 oral presentations and 35 poster presentations built the core of this event triggering fruitful discussions on the state-of-science in measuring, preserving and enhancing soil organic carbon in different soils of the world. The GSOC17 took place from 21 to 23 March at FAO Headquarters and was structured in three themes: Theme 1: Monitorin g, mapping, measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) of SOC Theme 2: Maintaining and/or increasing SOC stocks for climate change mitigation and adaptation Theme 3 - Managing SOC in soils with high SOC - peatlands, permafrost, and black soils; in grasslands, and livestock production systems; and in dryland soils