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Title: Managing U.S. cropland to sequester carbon in soil

Abstract

The effects of human activities on atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are under intensive study in the United States and worldwide. Since conversion to cropland during the 17th and 18th centuries, the vegetation and soils of the US forests, grasslands, and wetlands have undergone extensive change. Clearing, tilling, and draining of these soils for long-term cropland use released large amounts of CO{sub 2}, a GHG, to the atmosphere from the soils` fertile soil organic matter (SOM). The SOM in topsoil often was depleted by up to half of its soil organic carbon (SOC). Now, improved farming technologies, increased farmland productivity, and government programs to return highly erodible lands to permanent vegetation are producing unanticipated benefits by letting soils become major sinks for atmospheric CO{sub 2} that is stored in them as increasing levels of SOC.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (United States). School of Natural Resources
  2. USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO (United States)
  3. USDA-NRCS, Lincoln, NE (United States). National Soil Survey Center
  4. Colorado State Univ., Estes Park, CO (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
678084
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 54; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan-Mar 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; SOILS; CARBON DIOXIDE; AIR-BIOSPHERE INTERACTIONS; GREENHOUSE GASES; AIR POLLUTION; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; CARBON SINKS; CARBON CYCLE

Citation Formats

Lal, R, Follett, R F, Kimble, J, and Cole, C V. Managing U.S. cropland to sequester carbon in soil. United States: N. p., 1999. Web.
Lal, R, Follett, R F, Kimble, J, & Cole, C V. Managing U.S. cropland to sequester carbon in soil. United States.
Lal, R, Follett, R F, Kimble, J, and Cole, C V. 1999. "Managing U.S. cropland to sequester carbon in soil". United States.
@article{osti_678084,
title = {Managing U.S. cropland to sequester carbon in soil},
author = {Lal, R and Follett, R F and Kimble, J and Cole, C V},
abstractNote = {The effects of human activities on atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) are under intensive study in the United States and worldwide. Since conversion to cropland during the 17th and 18th centuries, the vegetation and soils of the US forests, grasslands, and wetlands have undergone extensive change. Clearing, tilling, and draining of these soils for long-term cropland use released large amounts of CO{sub 2}, a GHG, to the atmosphere from the soils` fertile soil organic matter (SOM). The SOM in topsoil often was depleted by up to half of its soil organic carbon (SOC). Now, improved farming technologies, increased farmland productivity, and government programs to return highly erodible lands to permanent vegetation are producing unanticipated benefits by letting soils become major sinks for atmospheric CO{sub 2} that is stored in them as increasing levels of SOC.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/678084}, journal = {Journal of Soil and Water Conservation},
number = 1,
volume = 54,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999},
month = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999}
}