Limited Increase of Agricultural Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks Due to Increased Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations

Pete Smith*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Increased atmospheric concentrations of CO2 may lead to increases in agricultural soil carbon and nitrogen storage, but the impact is likely to be small and is uncertain due to limitations in other resources (e.g., nutrients, water) and interactions with climatic changes. Since only a small percentage of carbon added to the soil becomes stabilised, the impact of CO 2 fertilisation of crops is considered to be very small compared to deliberate efforts to increase soil carbon by improved agricultural management. Even if agricultural soil carbon stocks are increased, carbon credits cannot be claimed under the Kyoto Protocol since the increases are not directly human-induced, a condition which must be met in order for any carbon sink to be included in emission reduction targets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)393-399
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Crop Improvement
Volume13
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Agricultural soils
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Carbon storage
  • Increased CO
  • Kyoto Protocol
  • Soil carbon

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