Climate change and soil carbon sequestration are interconnected issues that demand immediate attention in agricultural science research. Climate change poses one of the biggest challenges for humanity, and agriculture plays a dual role in exacerbating the problem with its greenhouse gas emissions, while also offering potential solutions. The effects of land use change and the industrial revolution on global warming have depleted the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool, leading to adverse economic and ecological consequences. Anticipated climate change may alter the levels of soil moisture and temperature, thereby affecting the SOC pool and physical characteristics of the soil.
Agriculture and land use change significantly contribute to the global greenhouse gas emissions, but they can also play an important role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in soils and vegetation, improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions intensity, and reducing deforestation. Growing crops specifically for energy production, such as bioenergy crops, can also help to reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuels.
The sustainable management of agricultural lands is crucial for balancing food production, carbon sequestration, and protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. Implementing practices such as agroforestry, conservation tillage, precision agriculture, and planting cover crops can increase soil carbon sequestration and promote the growth of soil microorganisms that store carbon. However, it is important to note that the amount of carbon that can be stored in soils is limited, and the sequestration rate depends on various factors such as climate, soil type, and management practices. Additionally, the carbon stored in soils can be lost through land use change, degradation, and other human activities.
Given the importance of soil carbon sequestration as a mitigation strategy for climate change, there is a need for an Article Collection that focuses on the topic. This Article Collection aims to gather original research, review articles, and case studies on the potential of using agricultural crops to combat climate change by sequestering carbon in soils. The scope of the Collection includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
- The impacts of different agricultural practices on soil carbon sequestration, including conservation tillage, agroforestry, precision agriculture, and planting cover crops.
- The potential of using bioenergy crops for carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- The role of sustainable agricultural land management practices in enhancing soil carbon sequestration and reducing emissions.
- The economic, social, and environmental impacts of using agricultural crops for climate change mitigation.
- The impacts of agricultural practices on biodiversity and the potential for integrating biodiversity conservation into climate change mitigation strategies.
- The potential for scaling up agricultural practices to maximize their impact on carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.
- The role of policy in promoting sustainable agricultural practices that support soil carbon sequestration.
The main focus of this Article Collection is to showcase the latest research on the impact of climate change on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and its depletion due to land use. It also aims to present agricultural strategies that can help to mitigate these impacts and improve SOC. The Article Collection invites researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from different fields such as agriculture, ecology, soil science, and environmental science to share their research findings, experiences, and best practices related to the use of agricultural crops as a tool for climate change mitigation. The objective is to identify research gaps, discuss challenges, and explore the potential of using agricultural crops to combat climate change.
Dr. Mehmood Ali Noor is an agricultural scientist with extensive experience in the field of crop management science. Dr. Noor is highly dedicated to his work and has a great passion for exploring the cutting edge research and advancements in the field of agriculture. His research interests and expertise lie in the areas of crop production, plant nutrition, plant physiology, agro-climatology, and farm management. He has published more than 30 journal articles and has contributed few book chapters also.
All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member). Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.
The deadline for submitting manuscripts is September 15, 2023.
