The Potential of U.S. Forest Soils to Sequester Carbon and Mitigate the Greenhouse Effect

Elliot, W.J. 2003. The Potential of U.S. Forest Soils to Sequester Carbon and Mitigate the greenhouse effect.

Keywords: Carbon Sequestration, erosion mitigation, greenhouse-gas emission

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Abstract: Previous work (Lal et d,, f 998; Follett et al., 2001) described the potential of U.S. cropland and grazing land soils to sequester clubon (C) and be managed to hefp mitigate greenhouse-gas emissions. Activities to sequester C in mptands iacludcd land conversion, land restomtion, impd mpphg systems, and intensified management using consemation tillage and improved water md fertility management, La1 et d. (1998) estimated that ~lopl8tlld &oils could sequmter 75 to 208 million rncbric tons C per year (Mt CYyear) (mean = 142). while 43 Mt crj,ear was estimated to be emitted from production inputs, Thus, the net potential sequestration was estimated at 100 Mt Uyeat on a cropland area of 136.6 million hectares (Mh) (Cal et d., 1998). Activities to sequester C in grazing lads inchrdcd controlling soil erosion lasses, restoring eroded and deg;rraded soils, laml conversion, and improved pasture and rangeland management, which involved fertility management, phtin8 improved species, and grazing management. The overall potential of U.S. grazing lands to sequester C ranged fiPm 29.5 to 110 Mt C/year (man = 69.8) duriollg a 25-year period, with emission losses of 12.0 to 19.5 Mt Clyear (mean = 1 %8 Mt C/ya)* The net potential stquestration of grasslands was about 53.5 Mt C/ye8it on a land base of appru,ximatdy 336 Ma.

Moscow FSL publication no. 2003d