soil carbon management in developing country agricultural ... · soil carbon management in...

Soil carbon management in developing country agricultural

systems

Soil carbon management in developing country agricultural

systems

Technical Working Group on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (T-AGG): Experts Meeting, April 22 & 23, 2010 · Chicago, Illinois

Technical Working Group on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (T-AGG): Experts Meeting, April 22 & 23, 2010 · Chicago, Illinois

Theodor FriedrichSenior Officer AGP

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nat ions

Theodor FriedrichSenior Officer AGP

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nat ions

outline

• Agriculture as driver

• Global potentials

• Mitigation strategies

• Agriculture as driver

• Global potentials

• Mitigation strategies• Mitigation strategies

• Mitigation potential

• Conclusions

• Mitigation strategies

• Mitigation potential

• Conclusions

agriculture as a driver

Greenhouse gas emissions:

• Carbon Dioxide is the most important GHG • Other GHG (Methane, Nitrous Oxide) more powerful• Still 77% of total GHG in CO 2 equivalent is due to CO 2

Greenhouse gas emissions:

• Carbon Dioxide is the most important GHG • Other GHG (Methane, Nitrous Oxide) more powerful• Still 77% of total GHG in CO 2 equivalent is due to CO 2• Still 77% of total GHG in CO 2 equivalent is due to CO 2

• Agricultural land use contributes 32% of all GHG:• The major largest components are:

• Land use change: 18.3%• Nitrogen emissions from soils: 6%• Methane from livestock: 5%

• Still 77% of total GHG in CO 2 equivalent is due to CO 2

• Agricultural land use contributes 32% of all GHG:• The major largest components are:

• Land use change: 18.3%• Nitrogen emissions from soils: 6%• Methane from livestock: 5%

global potentials

Agriculture mitigating climate change

• Globally 5 bill ha (5 .109) under agriculturei.e. managed by mankind (= 40% of total land)


• Globally 5 bill ha (5 .109) under agriculturei.e. managed by mankind (= 40% of total land)i.e. managed by mankind (= 40% of total land)

• of this 1.4 bill ha are cropland• Significant impact on climate change

i.e. managed by mankind (= 40% of total land)• of this 1.4 bill ha are cropland• Significant impact on climate change

global potentials


• Global pool of Soil Organic Carbon 1,500 Pg(1 Pg = 1 bill. metric tons = 1 Gt)

• Agriculture has released 456 Pg C from SOCwhich builds the potential for soil as C -sink


• Global pool of Soil Organic Carbon 1,500 Pg(1 Pg = 1 bill. metric tons = 1 Gt)

• Agriculture has released 456 Pg C from SOCwhich builds the potential for soil as C -sink which builds the potential for soil as C -sink

• Potential C -capturing from cropland:0.75 – 1.0 bill t (Pg)/year

• Total potential for increasing the terrestrialC pool is about 3 Pg/year = about the annualincrease in global CO 2 concentration

• Additionally emission reductions possible

which builds the potential for soil as C -sink • Potential C -capturing from cropland:0.75 – 1.0 bill t (Pg)/year

• Total potential for increasing the terrestrialC pool is about 3 Pg/year = about the annualincrease in global CO 2 concentration

• Additionally emission reductions possible

mitigation strategies

Agricultural (crop) mitigation strategies:• Sequestration:Maximize soil as carbon sink

• reduce soil carbon emissions• maximise biomass production• enhance soil carbon input

Agricultural (crop) mitigation strategies:• Sequestration:Maximize soil as carbon sink

• reduce soil carbon emissions• maximise biomass production• enhance soil carbon input

• Emission reduction:• Rice – methane• Fertilizer – nitrous oxide• Fuel emissions• Emissions from input manufacturing• Manure handling• Bio energy?

• Emission reduction:• Rice – methane• Fertilizer – nitrous oxide• Fuel emissions• Emissions from input manufacturing• Manure handling• Bio energy?

Sequestration:Carbon Offset Consultation,West Lafayette, October 2008:• CA base for carbon credit protocols

Sequestration:Carbon Offset Consultation,West Lafayette, October 2008:• CA base for carbon credit protocols


• CA base for carbon credit protocols• CA for CC mitigation and adaptation• CA technologies for Climate Change

adaptation and mitigation available

• CA base for carbon credit protocols• CA for CC mitigation and adaptation• CA technologies for Climate Change

adaptation and mitigation available

The simultaneous combination of

• Continuous zero tillage• Permanent soil cover• Crop rotations

has become known as

The simultaneous combination of

• Continuous zero tillage• Permanent soil cover• Crop rotations

has become known as


has become known asConservation Agriculturehas become known asConservation Agriculture

Conservation Agriculture Conservation Agriculture

Action of Soil Biota

Structure/Porosity

Action of Soil Biota

Structure/Porosity

Con

vent

iona

l Agr

icul

ture

Con

vent

iona

l Agr

icul

ture

High SoilOrganicMatter

High SoilOrganicMatter

Soil Organic Matter = Drought ResistanceSoil Organic Matter = Drought Resistance


Mechanical Tillage

Biological Tillage

Con

vent

iona

l Agr

icul

ture

Con

vent

iona

l Agr

icul

ture

MatterMatterlow soilorganic matterlow soilorganic matter

22COCO

90

120

150

180

CE

R (

g C

O2

m-2

)

MP

Cumulative Carbon Dioxide Loss after 24 hoursCumulative Carbon Dioxide Loss after 24 hoursmitigation strategies

ReicoskyReicosky

y = 0.0792x + 9.7647R2 = 0.9698

0

30

60

0 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000

Cross Sectional Area (cm 2)

CE

R (

g C

O

SS

RMMK

NT L128

TILLAGE-INDUCED CO2 "FLUSH" AND CURRENT CROP RESIDU E19 days after tillage

249

129.5150

200

250

300T

OT

AL

C L

OS

T IN

19

DA

YS

(g

C/m

)2

185 g C/m from residueof previous wheat crop

2


ReicoskyReicosky

129.5106.6 99.8

49.9

MP

MP+DH2

DH CP NT

TILLAGE TYPE

0

50

100

150

TO

TA

L C

LO

ST

IN 1

9 D

AY

S (

g C

/m )

Nature’s Interdependent Tri-Cycles:Water, Carbon , Nitrogen ,

Nature’s Interdependent Tri-Cycles:Water, Carbon , Nitrogen ,

H2O C N

Tillage disrupts the natural cycles!


TillageLayerTillageLayer

ReicoskyReicosky

CA and climate change:• No single practice safely qualifies for

carbon credits (no -till, compost, organic)

• No-till a necessary, not sufficientcondition for Carbon Sequestration in

CA and climate change:• No single practice safely qualifies for

carbon credits (no -till, compost, organic)

• No-till a necessary, not sufficientcondition for Carbon Sequestration in


condition for Carbon Sequestration inmost climates

• Protocols for optimized systems to be established

• Attention to lifecycles and other GHG(compaction, irrigation)

condition for Carbon Sequestration inmost climates

• Protocols for optimized systems to be established

• Attention to lifecycles and other GHG(compaction, irrigation)

Emission reductions: Rice (CH 4)• CA-rice: no -till/no puddling• residue retention• no permanent flooding• evtl. permanent beds

Emission reductions: Rice (CH 4)• CA-rice: no -till/no puddling• residue retention• no permanent flooding• evtl. permanent beds


• evtl. permanent beds• SRI agronomy for

better root development

• evtl. permanent beds• SRI agronomy for

better root development

Emission reductions: N -Fertilizer• Use of legumes in rotation• Careful use of N fertilizer• Placement of N fertilizer (urea)• Irrigation (no flooding)

Emission reductions: N -Fertilizer• Use of legumes in rotation• Careful use of N fertilizer• Placement of N fertilizer (urea)• Irrigation (no flooding)


• Compaction: CTF• Compaction: CTF

Emission reductions:• Fuel emissions: - 40 to 70% • Emissions from input manufacturing:

biological processes replacing functions of– machinery: - 50% – fertilizer: - 30-50% – pesticides: - 20%

Emission reductions:• Fuel emissions: - 40 to 70% • Emissions from input manufacturing:

biological processes replacing functions of– machinery: - 50% – fertilizer: - 30-50% – pesticides: - 20%


– pesticides: - 20%

• Manure handling:– biogas– aerobic composting– application into cover crops/crop residues– knifing into soil (small quantities)

• No burning – avoidance of fire

– pesticides: - 20%

• Manure handling:– biogas– aerobic composting– application into cover crops/crop residues– knifing into soil (small quantities)

• No burning – avoidance of fire

Bio energy:• Bio energy = low efficiency solar energy • Carbon: either for bio energy or for

carbon sequestration • Carbon in soils has other beneficial

effects beyond carbon sequestration

Bio energy:• Bio energy = low efficiency solar energy • Carbon: either for bio energy or for

carbon sequestration • Carbon in soils has other beneficial

effects beyond carbon sequestration


effects beyond carbon sequestration• Diversion of carbon towards bio energy

reduces the speed of soil carbon build up

Biochar: • residues are a better C -source for soils

effects beyond carbon sequestration• Diversion of carbon towards bio energy

reduces the speed of soil carbon build up

Biochar: • residues are a better C -source for soils

Further options:• Integrated Crop -livestock -systemsFurther options:• Integrated Crop -livestock -systems


Soybean at harvest

with Italian ryegrass naturally established

12 years: soybean & italian ryegrass in succession

• Agroforestry:CA with trees (CAWT)

• Agroforestry:CA with trees (CAWT)

mitigation potentialmitigation potential

100100U

S S

oil C

onse

rvat

ion

Ser

vice

cons

erva

tion

tilla

ge

dust

bow

lS

iber

ia/U

SS

R

Fuk

uoka

(Ja

pan)

till/U

S

till d

emon

stra

tion

in B

razi

l

adop

tion

Bra

zil

plan

tio d

ireto

na

palh

a

expe

rimen

ts in

Chi

na, I

ndog

ange

tic P

lain

s

New

boo

st: C

anad

a, A

ustr

alia

, Kaz

akhs

tan,

Rus

sia,

Chi

na, F

inla

nd...

; Afr

ica

till i

n th

e U

S IITA

no-

till r

esea

rch

Mill

. ha

History and Adoption of CAHistory and Adoption of CA

DustbowlDustbowl

19301930 2000200019501950

US

Soi

l Con

serv

atio

n S

ervi

ceco

nser

vatio

n til

lage

Fau

lkne

r (U

S)

–F

ukuo

ka (

Japa

n)

com

mer

cial

no-

till/U

S

first

no-

till d

emon

stra

tion

in B

razi

l

Old

rieve

/Zim

babw

e

expe

rimen

ts in

Chi

na, I

ndog

ange

tic P

lain

s

New

boo

st: C

anad

a, A

ustr

alia

, Kaz

akhs

tan,

Rus

sia,

Chi

na, F

inla

nd...

; Afr

ica

Arg

entin

a, P

arag

uay;

19801980 19901990

Firs

t no-

till i

n th

e U

S

5050

19701970

Canada 13Canada 13Europe 0.5Europe 0.5

Asia 3.3Asia 3.3

Conservation Agriculture worldwide 111 Million ha Conservation Agriculture worldwide 111 Million ha

China 1.3China 1.3

continental, drycontinental, dry

temperate, moisttemperate, moist

continental, dry continental, dry

smallholdersmallholderaridarid

large scalelarge scale



USA 27USA 27

Australia 17Australia 17

Africa 0.5Africa 0.5

Brazil 26Brazil 26

Argentina 20Argentina 20

Paraguay 2.4Paraguay 2.4tropical savannahtropical savannah



irrigatedirrigated

smallholdersmallholder

smallholdersmallholder

aridarid

aridaridlarge scalelarge scale large scalelarge scale



subtropical, dry

tropical savannahtropical savannah

Sequestration:Sequestration:mitigation potentialmitigation potential

S om e so il ca rbon seques tra tion ra tes

R eg ion R ate

M g ha -1 yr -1

Trop ica l(W est-C en tra l B R )

R angeM ean

0.04 – 0 .630.39

S ub trop ica l(S ou thern B R )

R angeM ean

0.04 -0.970.58

B razi l

S om e so il ca rbon seques tra tion ra tes

R eg ion R ate

M g ha -1 yr -1


R angeM ean

0.04 – 0 .630.39


R angeM ean

0.04 -0.970.58

R eg ion R ate

M g ha -1 yr -1


R angeM ean

0.04 – 0 .630.39


R angeM ean

0.04 -0.970.58

B razi l

(S ou thern B R ) M ean 0.58

Tem pera te(U S A)

R ange 0.1 -0.5

Trop ica l: C orazza et a l. (1999), S ilva e t a l. (2001), Le ite e t a l. (2001)S ub trop ica l: B ayer e t a l. (2000a,b ), Lova to (2001), Am ado et a l. (2001), F re ixo e t a l. (2002)Tem perate: Lal e t a l. (1999); W est & M arland (2002)G lobal: W est & P ost (2002)

M ean 0.34

G LO B A L M ean 0.57

B razi l


Tem pera te(U S A)

R ange 0.1 -0.5


M ean 0.34



Tem pera te(U S A)

R ange 0.1 -0.5


M ean 0.34


B razi l

Slide taken from Amado 2008, CACOC/CTIC-FAO

Sequestration:• Intensive grassland: 2 -7 Mg.ha-1.a-1

• New saturation:– cropland 30-50 years– grassland 15 -20 years

Sequestration:• Intensive grassland: 2 -7 Mg.ha-1.a-1

• New saturation:– cropland 30-50 years– grassland 15 -20 years


– grassland 15 -20 years

• Actual growth in CA: 6 mill ha/a, increasing

• outlook: in 20 years global CA adoption rate at 50%?

– grassland 15 -20 years

• Actual growth in CA: 6 mill ha/a, increasing

• outlook: in 20 years global CA adoption rate at 50%?

conclusionsconclusions

Conclusions:• Agricultural land management: big player inclimate change

• Agriculture is not an option: need toreduce environmental footprint

• CA responds to many global problemsand is expanding globally

Conclusions:• Agricultural land management: big player inclimate change

• Agriculture is not an option: need toreduce environmental footprint

• CA responds to many global problemsand is expanding globallyand is expanding globally

• Agriculture with CA could become a majorelement for global environmental policies

• CA is more profitable – payments not requiredto sustain it, but to accelerate adoption

• “Carbon” as new produce from farming• BUT: no quick fix; complementarymeasures needed – optimized protocols

and is expanding globally• Agriculture with CA could become a majorelement for global environmental policies

• CA is more profitable – payments not requiredto sustain it, but to accelerate adoption

• “Carbon” as new produce from farming• BUT: no quick fix; complementarymeasures needed – optimized protocols

Sustainability and Food for all:With CA agriculture can become

part of the solution!

Sustainability and Food for all:With CA agriculture can become

part of the solution!

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

More information :http://www.fao.org/ag/caMore information :http://www.fao.org/ag/ca

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