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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #149962
Title: AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND POLICY OPTIONS FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN SOIL

Author
item KIMBLE, J - USDA-NRCS
item LAL, R - OHIO ST. UNIV
item Follett, Ronald

Submitted to: Complete Book
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2002
Publication Date: 5/24/2002
Citation: Kimble, J.R., Lal, R., Follett, R.F. 2002. Agricultural practices and policy options for carbon sequestration in soil. 512 P.

Interpretive Summary: The major themes addressed in this book include: historic loss of soil carbon from various pools; impacts of recommended management practices (RMP's) on soil carbon dynamics on regional and national scales; regional and global trends in the adoption of RMP's; economics of C sequestration; policy considerations; and farmer participation and inputs.

Technical Abstract: The science and policy interface is often an uncomfortable, unlikely exchange that takes time to mature and develop, from both a process and an interpersonal perspective. Scientists, by temperament and training, are whetted to a logical, orderly method of discovering the laws of nature that order the world and our surroundings, and to presenting those discoveries in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Often it the media that play the inte4mediary role of interpreting to the public ¿ and to policy makers among them ¿ scientific findings, and the implications of those findings to people and to good policy. Frequently, however, relevant scientific details are simplified, misinterpreted, or even omitted in the interpretation and presentation by the media. Such omissions or explanation often occur as part of the process of making news relevant. Most scientists have neither the training nor the opportunity to interact on the arena where policies are crafted and laws debated and passed, but it is imperative that the interface exist and be nurtured, particularly where problems are complex and the outcome of policies an legislation imperative. Climate change and soil carbon sequestration are such areas and are addressed in this book.