Greenhouse gas mitigation and carbon sequestration potential in humid grassland ecosystems in Brazil: A review. (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: da Silva, Hiran M.S.; Dubeux Júnior, José C.B.; Silveira, Maria L.; Lira Junior, Mario A.; Cardoso, Abmael S.; Vendramini, João M.B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 323(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: C stocks -- GHG -- N fertilization -- Pasture management -- Land use management; ha Hectares -- GHG Greenhouse gas -- IPCC The intergovernmental panel on climate change -- CSA Climate-smart agricultural -- CO2 Carbon dioxide -- CH4 Methane -- N2O Nitrous oxide -- SOM Soil organic matter -- C Carbon -- NPP Net primary production -- AU Animal unit; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116269
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Climate change is a major constraint on the sustainability of the humid tropics, maintaining ecosystem services, food production, and social functioning. Humid tropics play an essential role in C storage and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Unfortunately, unplanned economic exploration, human occupation, and lack of knowledge of techniques to maintain ecosystem services negatively affect the humid tropics. In this study, we focused on the mechanisms of GHG emissions, C storage, and their mitigation strategies. This review indicated technologies that can be adopted by farmers in humid tropics to maintain or increase their capacity to store C stocks and reduce GHG emissions. The adoption of climate-smart agriculture technologies and the regulation of ecosystem services markets will accelerate the progress of preserving the humid tropics. Improved management practices, such as proper N fertilizer management and the introduction of N2 -fixing legumes, can increase soil C sequestration, providing economic and environmental trade-offs associated with these management strategies. Public and private investments toward knowledge dissemination and technology adoption regarding GHG emissions reduction and soil C storage are needed to allow humid tropics to maintain their critical function of generating environmental and societal benefits. Highlights: We reviewed GHG emissions and soil C in humid grasslands. Brazilian humid grasslands can act as a carbon sink. Pasture management is fundamental to increase soil C sequestration. Nitrogen inputs increase net primary production in grassland ecosystems. Technologies to mitigate GHG emissions in humid tropics need to be investigated.