Geotherapy: innovative methods of soil fertility restoration, carbon sequestration, and reversing CO2 increase

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (03) ◽  
pp. 53-1302-53-1302
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Fertility Restoration ◽  
Innovative Methods

scholarly journals Potential of Alnus acuminata based agroforestry for carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services in Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanase R. Cyamweshi ◽  
Shem Kuyah ◽  
Athanase Mukuralinda ◽  
Catherine W. Muthuri
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Biomass Carbon ◽  
Alnus Acuminata ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Old Trees

AbstractAlnus acuminata Kunth. (alnus) is widely used in agroforestry systems across the globe and is believed to provide multiple ecosystem services; however, evidence is lacking in agroforestry literature to support the perceived benefits, particularly in Rwanda. To understand carbon sequestration potential and other benefits of alnus, a household survey, tree inventory and destructive sampling were conducted in north-western Rwanda. Over 75% of the respondents had alnus trees in their farms. The trees provide stakes for climbing beans, firewood and timber. They also improve soil fertility and control soil erosion. Farmers had between 130 and 161 alnus trees per hectare with an average height of 7.7 ± 0.59 m and diameter at breast height of 16.3 ± 1.39 cm. The largest biomass proportion was found in stems (70.5%) while branches and leaves stock about 16.5 and 13% of the total biomass, respectively. At farm level, aboveground biomass of alnus trees was estimated to be 27.2 ± 0.7 Mg ha−1 representing 13.6 Mg of carbon (C) per hectare. Biomass carbon increased with tree size, from 7.1 ± 0.2 Mg C ha−1 in 3 years old trees to 34.4 ± 2.2 Mg C ha−1 in 10 years old trees. The converse was observed with elevation; biomass carbon decreased with increasing elevation from 21.4 ± 1.29 Mg C ha−1 at low (2011–2110 m) to 9.6 ± 0.75 Mg C ha−1 in the high elevation (> 2510 m). In conclusion, alnus agroforestry significantly contributes to carbon sequestration, although the magnitude of these benefits varies with tree age and elevation. Planting alnus trees on farms can meet local needs for stakes for climbing beans, wood and soil fertility improvement, as well as the global need for regulation of climate change.

scholarly journals Abundant and Stable Char Residues in Soils: Implications for Soil Fertility and Carbon Sequestration

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (17) ◽  
pp. 9571-9576 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-D. Mao ◽  
R. L. Johnson ◽  
J. Lehmann ◽  
D. C. Olk ◽  
E. G. Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Fertility

Plantation Agriculture in the Tropics

2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred E. Hartemink
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Fertility Decline ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Perennial Crops ◽  
Tropical Countries ◽  
Plantation Agriculture ◽  
National Economies

Plantation agriculture is more than 400 years old and contributes to the regional and national economies in many tropical countries. This paper reviews some of the main environmental issues related to plantation agriculture with perennial crops, including soil erosion, soil fertility decline, pollution, carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Soil erosion and soil fertility decline are of concern in some areas, but in most plantations these are being checked by cover crops and inorganic fertilizer applications. Few studies have been conducted on the issue of carbon sequestration under perennial plantation cropping. Reductions in deforestation yield much greater benefits for a reduction in CO2 emissions than expanding plantation agriculture. The biggest threat to biodiversity is the loss of habitat through expansion of the plantation area. Despite the environmental problems and concerns, this review has shown that crop yields of most perennial crops have increased over time due to improved crop husbandry including high-yielding cultivars and improved soil management. It is likely that more attention will be given to the environmental aspects of plantation cropping due to the increasing environmental awareness in tropical countries.

Impact of biochar application on carbon sequestration, soil fertility and crop productivity

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
徐敏 XU Min ◽  
伍钧 WU Jun ◽  
张小洪 ZHANG Xiaohong ◽  
杨刚 YANG Gang
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Productivity
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