Author : Sara G. Martin
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (795 download)
Book Synopsis An Analysis of Carbon Sequestration Rates and the Implications of Cover Crops by : Sara G. Martin
Download or read book An Analysis of Carbon Sequestration Rates and the Implications of Cover Crops written by Sara G. Martin and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As the population increases, the agriculture industry is faced with the rising challenge of meeting food demand. With increased production, environmental pressures will likely increase. Because of the potential impact agriculture and conventional systems have on the environment, the industry must implement more sustainable practices. Agricultural sources have been indicated as some of the sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which have consistently caused global average temperatures to increase by 0.1 degree Celsius per decade for multiple decades, with concomitant impacts on the CO2 levels in the atmosphere as well as the sea level. Soil degradation, water pollution, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions are related issues that are affecting the environment, and the agriculture industry works to find methods to reduce any potential negative impacts from farm and ranch operations and food processors. Among the market-based strategies for addressing these negative impacts, carbon sequestration and trading have become two widely popular incentives to be used to control the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. This method of incentivizing the storage of carbon can lead to an increased economic value of agricultural management practices, which provide soil ecosystem services through soil organic carbon (SOC). A major management practice recommended for increasing SOC storage is the adoption of cover crops. Cover crops have been acknowledged and developed for over 3,000 years; however, more research is still required to help find the best solutions to fit the needs of increased food production. This thesis will focus on the analysis of previous studies regarding carbon sequestration. In this analysis, specific topics of interest will include: i) the impact of the agriculture industry on climate change; ii) a summary of data on carbon sequestration rates on specific crops; iii) the estimated amounts of carbon sequestration in selected states, and iv) the impacts of cover crop implementation on soil carbon sequestration rates. This comprehensive review may be utilized in educational efforts on the adoption of and sustainable benefits of conservation agriculture, including the implications of cover crops.