Soil carbon sequestration to mitigate

climate change
C sequestration constraints:
the quantity of C stored in soil is nite,
the process is reversible
even if SOC is increased there may be changes
in the uxes of other greenhouse gases, (N2O
and methane)
General limitations of terrestrial
carbon sequestration
The amount of C locked up is nite: the SOC does not
accumulate indenitely (Johnston et al., 2009)
The process is reversible: the change in land management
leading to increased C in soil or vegetation must be continued
indenitely to maintain the increased stock of SOC (Freibauer et al., 2004).
Land management changes leading to increased soil C may
either increase or decrease uxes of powerful greenhouse gases
such as N2O or methane.
Land management changes that
increase SOC
Conversion of arable land to grassland or forest
Re-vegetation of degraded land
Addition of organic materials to soil
Conversion of arable cropping to reduced-tillage systems
(minimizing soil disturbance decreases SOC decomposition
rate)
Conclusion
There is a misunderstanding regarding which practices leads
to genuine additional transfer of C from atmosphere to soil.
there is ignorance of the fundamental limitations of C
sequestration
CO2 vs N2O og CH4

To provide rational information to policy makers is essential
that scientist make quantitative assessments well
documented on the available evidence.