Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/agriculture/1434443-explain-this-article-in-your-own-words
https://studentshare.org/agriculture/1434443-explain-this-article-in-your-own-words.
Basically, carbon sequestration can be defined as the process through which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere through agriculture as well as forestry activities (Eco preservation society, 2008). Naturally, carbon dioxide is reduced from the atmosphere through photosynthesis which is aided through agricultural and forestry activities. However, the decay of biomass such as leaves or burning activities through agricultural activities can lead carbon dioxide to return to the atmosphere.
Therefore, agricultural soils can act as either a source of carbon dioxide prevalence in the atmosphere or a source which reduces its prevalence in the atmosphere. According to the given article, less tillage practices can lead to a rapid increase of the carbon stock in the soil. This is so because of the fact of decomposition of biomass taking place which cannot be recycled back into the atmosphere to be absorbed by the vegetation as well as other agricultural produce. It has been observed that no tillage causes an increase in the level of soil carbon and the farmers are often affected by the costs and benefits they can reap from practicing non tillage which is beneficial over a long period of time.
In order to adopt a no till soil management program, policies should be developed to target a long duration practice of no till exercise as this will be beneficial in the long run. However, there are still complications that this can be a long term process but once the carbon dioxide has been emitted into the atmosphere, then the damage has already been done. It may not be that easy to remove the carbon dioxide already released into the atmosphere. Thus, a permanent offset system to the buyer must allow the seller to have a low cost sequestration opportunity or to have special permits that would allow them to cover for their own emissions at a later period.
Monitoring of the situation is imperative in each case where transaction costs are closely monitored in order to ensure that there is a balance between the aggregation of services offered as well as the profit making initiative. There are different agricultural management practices that can either positively or negatively impact on the farmers’ endeavour to sequestrate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These can be achieved through improved yields especially from poor quality soil as well as decreased nutrients loss.
For instance, the two levels of carbon dioxide pools can illustrate this example. With no tillage, the carbon dioxide in the surface labile pull can be transferred to the deeper stable pool. This leads us to the conclusion that the soil that is frequently tilled contains less carbon dioxide given that it is released from the surface pool. Given that farming is a business on its own, it can be noted that management practices that are bent on protecting soil organic carbon (SOC) may not be beneficial to the farmers in the long run.
Such practices do not quickly bring tangible benefits to the farmers hence there is need for government intervention in crafting of policies that are meant to promote carbon sequestration in the long run. There will be need for the farmers to be paid over the long periods they leave their land fallow in order to promote carbon
...Download file to see next pages Read More