ARS | Publication request: Carbon sequestration in agricultural lands of the United States

Submitted to: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: October 15, 2009
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Repository URL: http://parking.nal.usda.gov/shortterm/21069_241.MorganCarbonsequestrationinaglandsofUS.pdf
Citation: Morgan, J.A., Follett, R.F., Allen Jr, L.H., Del Grosso, S.J., Derner, J.D., Dijkstra, F.A., Franzluebbers, A.J., Fry, R., Paustian, K., Schoeneberger, M.M. 2010. Carbon sequestration in agricultural lands of the United States. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 65(1):6A-13A.

Technical Abstract: Reducing concentrations of greenhouse gases has been identified as one of the most pressing modern-day environment issues. In agricultural systems, the sequestering of C in mostly soils is thought to be one of the best options for reducing atmospheric concentrations of one of the most important greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide. This review article discusses the potential role of US agriculture to mitigate climate change primarily through the sequestering of carbon, and also identifies critical knowledge gaps where further research is needed to enhance the country’s C sequestering capability. The discussion is directed within several agricultural sectors: cropping systems, grazinglands, agroforestry, horticulture, turfgrass and potential high C emission areas. Logistical issues of how to track C sequestration are discussed, and problems associated with the emerging issues of biofuels and climate-change feed-backs on C sequestration are presented. Although major advancements have been made in research on agricultural C sequestration, further research is needed to better develop a suite of best management options and to cover unrepresented agricultural areas in order for the US to move forward with an effective C sequestration strategy for agriculture.