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

ITPS Soil Letters # 2

Year of publication 2021

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 3p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Journal, magazine, bulletin

Edition 1

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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