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Soil Carbon Sequestration and Its Role in Agriculture

Research Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC), the largest terrestrial organic carbon stored on land, plays a crucial role in regulating climate via soil carbon sequestration. Soil carbon sequestration, also known as “carbon farming” or “regenerative agriculture,” refers to various practices that manage land, especially farmland, to increase the amount of carbon stored in soils. In the soil, SOC acts as a major carbon sink by absorbing and storing atmospheric CO2. Approximately 1,550 gigatons of organic carbon are stored in soils, accounting for about 73% of the estimated 2,110 gigatons of organic carbon in the biosphere. Also a vital component of land ecosystems, it significantly influences soil fertility, structure, and overall ecosystem health. Carbon sequestration can affect the mitigation of climate change, soil health and productivity, food security, and ecosystem services. The dynamics of SOC are regulated by the balance between inputs, including plant residues, root exudates, and microbial activity, and outputs, such as decomposition and mineralization processes These processes are governed by physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms. It also affected agricultural management like conservation tillage, crop rotation, cover crops, organic amendments (manure, compost, and biochar), and agroforestry systems. Measuring SOC is challenging due to factors like spatial variability, temporal variation, and sampling depth. Therefore, using modeling to understand and quantify soil carbon sequestration is vital for sustaining agricultural systems and directing climate policy.

Research Department
Research Journal
Taylor & Francis
Research Year
2025