Soils May Reduce Global Warming

One promising method for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions is to increase the uptake of carbon dioxide by soils by planting forests and grasslands.

The Oak Ride National Laboratory's researchers have been assessing promising techniques for combating global warming with plant-based solutions. According to research head Wilfred M. Post, one of the options is to increase the sequestration of carbon dioxide in the soils. Considering the range of possible costs and benefits that would be derived by adopting land management practices to increase the uptake of carbon dioxide, they suggested intensifying cropping, adding organic material to soil, conservation tillage and afforestation and grassland establishment. The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to global warming, which is causing ecological disruption and poses a threat to human populations as well. If the permanence of soil carbon sequestration were to be established to be effective, then research suggests that it would be wise to establish incentives that make these practices attractive for land managers.