How much soil organic carbon sequestration is due to conservation agriculture reducing soil erosion?
Yong Li A , Hanqing Yu A , Adrian Chappell B D , Na Zhou A and Roger Funk C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Agricultural Clear Watershed Group, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Haidian District, 100081 Beijing, China.
B CSIRO Land & Water National Research Flagship, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
C Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Institute of Soil Landscape Research, Eberswalder Straße, 8415374 Müncheberg, Germany.
D Corresponding author. Email: adrian.chappell@csiro.au
Soil Research 52(7) 717-726 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR14078
Submitted: 4 April 2014 Accepted: 22 May 2014 Published: 24 September 2014
Abstract
Soil organic carbon (SOC) redistribution by soil erosion is fundamental to the C cycle and is a key component of global soil C accounting. Widespread conversion of cropland to forest and grassland and the adoption of conservation agriculture (minimum-till and no-till practices) worldwide and particularly in China since 2000, may have reduced wind erosion and increased SOC storage and ‘avoided’ CO2 emission. However, few SOC sequestration studies have separated changes in SOC stock caused by changes in land-use and management activity from net SOC redistribution due to reduced SOC erosion and SOC dust accumulation, particularly from individual or short-term (months) wind erosion events. We used measurements of SOC and the short-lived natural radionuclide beryllium-7 (7Be, half-life 53.3 days) to estimate net SOC redistribution for changes in several land-use and management practices in Fengning County in North China. Compared with conventional tillage (CT), conservation grassland (CG) and minimum tillage (CL) showed enhanced SOC stocks (0–245 mm depth) of ~0.8 ± 0.03 and 2.0 ± 0.06 t C ha–1 year–1 as a consequence of their land-use conversion for 5 and 3 years, respectively. However, SOC erosion on CG (0.46 ± 0.04 t C ha–1 year–1) and CL (0.52 ± 0.04 t C ha–1 year–1) plots was 54% and 47%, respectively, less than on CT (0.99 ± 0.11 t C ha–1 year–1). Net C sequestration (0–245 mm), considering SOC redistribution for CG (0.27 ± 0.12 t C ha–1 year–1; 5 years) and CL (1.53 ± 0.13 t C ha–1 year–1; 3 years), revealed an overestimate of 196% and 31% without considering SOC redistribution (CG, 0.8 ± 0.03 t C ha–1 year–1; CL, 2.0 ± 0.06 t C ha–1 year–1), respectively, relative to CT. Reduced SOC erosion and/or SOC dust accumulation by vegetation–crop cover must be included when considering SOC sequestration induced by changes in land use and management.
Additional keywords: beryllium-7 (7Be), conservation agriculture, land use and management activity, minimum tillage, SOC loss, soil C sequestration, wind erosion.
References
Allmaras RR, Linden DR, Clapp CE (2004) Corn-residue transformations into root and soil carbon as related to nitrogen, tillage, and stover management. Soil Science Society of America Journal 68, 1366–1375.| Corn-residue transformations into root and soil carbon as related to nitrogen, tillage, and stover management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXlvVKitr8%3D&md5=0bd0cb04933e346804fc226db13a872dCAS |
Ben Moussa-Machraoui S, Errouissi F, Ben-Hammouda M, Nouira S (2010) Comparative effects of conventional and no-tillage management on some soil properties under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions in northwestern Tunisia. Soil & Tillage Research 106, 247–253.
| Comparative effects of conventional and no-tillage management on some soil properties under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions in northwestern Tunisia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Benmansour M, Nouira A, Bouksirate H, Benkdad A, Ibn Majah M (2006) Use of fallout radionuclides to estimate short and long-term rates of soil erosion on agricultural lands in Morocco. In ‘Proceeding 14th International Soil Conservation Organisation Conference’. 14–19 May 2006, Marrakech, Morocco, Session Isotopes. (International Soil Conservation Organisation) Available at: www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/isco/index.php/list-of-proceedings-previous-meetings/
Benmasour H, Oumri EL, Mossadek R (2011) Estimates of long and short term soil erosion rates on farmland in semi-arid west Morocco using caesium-137, excess lead-210 and beryllium-7 measurements. In ‘Impact of soil conservation measures on erosion control and soil quality’. IAEA-TECDOC-1665. pp. 159–174. (International Atomic Energy Agency: Vienna)
Berhe AA, Kleber M (2013) Erosion, deposition, and the persistence of soil organic matter: mechanistic considerations and problems with terminology. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 38, 908–912.
| Erosion, deposition, and the persistence of soil organic matter: mechanistic considerations and problems with terminology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXpsFKgt7s%3D&md5=3ccb9f5d2547bade71ac1bfcbc96d9bdCAS |
Berhe AA, Harte J, Harden JW, Torn MS (2007) The significance of the erosion-induced terrestrial carbon sink. Bioscience 57, 337–346.
| The significance of the erosion-induced terrestrial carbon sink.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chappell A, Warren A, Oliver MA, Charlton M (1998) The utility of 137Cs for measuring soil redistribution rates in south-west Niger. Geoderma 81, 313–337.
| The utility of 137Cs for measuring soil redistribution rates in south-west Niger.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chappell A, Viscarra Rossel R, Loughran R (2011) Spatial uncertainty of 137Cs-derived net (1950s–1990) soil redistribution for Australia. Journal of Geophysical Research 116, F04015
| Spatial uncertainty of 137Cs-derived net (1950s–1990) soil redistribution for Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chappell A, Sanderman J, Thomas M, Read A, Leslie C (2012) The dynamics of soil redistribution and the implications for soil organic carbon accounting in agricultural south-eastern Australia. Global Change Biology 18, 2081–2088.
| The dynamics of soil redistribution and the implications for soil organic carbon accounting in agricultural south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chappell A, Webb NP, Butler H, Strong C, McTainsh GH, Leys JF, Viscarra Rossel RA (2013) Soil organic carbon dust emission: an omitted global source of atmospheric CO2. Global Change Biology 19, 3238–3244.
| Soil organic carbon dust emission: an omitted global source of atmospheric CO2.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23897802PubMed |
Deen W, Kataki PK (2003) Carbon sequestration in a long-term conventional versus conservation tillage experiment. Soil & Tillage Research 74, 143–150.
| Carbon sequestration in a long-term conventional versus conservation tillage experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Doering C, Akber R, Heijins H (2006) Vertical distribution of 210Pb excess, 7Be and 137Cs in selected grass covered soils in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 87, 135–147.
| Vertical distribution of 210Pb excess, 7Be and 137Cs in selected grass covered soils in Southeast Queensland, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xhs12ht7g%3D&md5=c1f224481c4043b0e6f120aa09d062b2CAS | 16406852PubMed |
Dolan MS, Clapp CE, Allmaras RR, Baker JM, Molina JAE (2006) Soil organic carbon and nitrogen in a Minnesota soil as related to tillage, residue and nitrogen management. Soil & Tillage Research 89, 221–231.
| Soil organic carbon and nitrogen in a Minnesota soil as related to tillage, residue and nitrogen management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dong Z, Chen G (1997) A preliminary insight into the wind eosion problem in Houshan Area of Inner Mongolia. Journal of Soil Erosion and Water Conservation 3, 156–174.
Duan Z, Liu X, Qu J (1996) Influences of land desertification to atmosphere in China. Resources and Environment in Arid Region 10, 89–93. [in Chinese]
Elliott ET (1986) Aggregate structure and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in native and cultivated soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 50, 627–633.
| Aggregate structure and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in native and cultivated soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gao HW (2007) The impacts of conservation tillage on atmosphere warming, dust storm and soil deterioration in North China. In ‘Proceedings of International Seminar on Enhancing the Extension of Conservation Agriculture Techniques in Asia and the Pacific’. Zhengzhou, China, 24–26 October 2007, (UNESCAP, APCAEM) Available at: www.unapcaem.org/publication/pub_ca.htm.
Gao SY, Zhang CL, Zou XY, Wu YQ, Shi S, Li HD (2008) ‘Benefits of Beijing–Tianjin sand source control engineering.’ (Science Press: Beijing)
Gong ZT (2003) ‘Chinese Soil Taxonomic Classification.’ (Science Press: Beijing)
Guo JH, Zhao TN, Li XG, Li W (2004) Study on prediction model and intensity classification of soil erosion in Jieba Mountain—a case study of Xiaobazi Country. Research of Soil and Water Conservation 11, 66–69. [in Chinese]
Hu N, Lou YL, Liang L (2009) Soil organic C and N stocks as affected by the conservation tillage. Ecology and Environmental Sciences 18, 223–226. [in Chinese]
Jiang XB, Li YS, Ou YZ, Hou RX, Li FD (2012) Effect of no-tillage on soil aggregate and organic carbon storage. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture 20, 270–278.
| Effect of no-tillage on soil aggregate and organic carbon storage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XotF2lsbg%3D&md5=e8a5e657209627306841402b04454024CAS |
Lal R (2003) Soil erosion and the global carbon budget. Environment International 29, 437–450.
| Soil erosion and the global carbon budget.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXivVOnsLc%3D&md5=9efe8e014e55f0c470aaa65d06c16e4fCAS | 12705941PubMed |
Li LH, Chen ZZ (1998) Soil respiration in grassland communities in the world. Chinese Journal of Ecology 17, 45–51. [in Chinese, with English abstract]
Li Y, Zhang QW, Reicosky DC, et al (2007) Changes in soil organic carbon induced by tillage and water erosion on a steep cultivated hillslope in the Chinese Loess Plateau from 1898–1954 and 1954–1998. Journal of Geophysical Research 112, G01021
Liu G, Zhang Q, Yang MY (2011) Using 7Be to trace temporal variation of interrill and rill erosion on slopes. Procedia Environmental Sciences 11, 1220–1226.
| Using 7Be to trace temporal variation of interrill and rill erosion on slopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu Y, Wang J, Liu J, Chi YC, Zhang XW, Zhao PL (2012) Effect of conservation tillage on carbon storage in corn fields. Journal of Inner Mongolia Forestry Science and Technology 38, 14–29. [in Chinese]
Mabit L, Benmansour M, Walling DE (2008) Comparative advantages and limitations of the fallout radionuclides 137Cs, 210Pbex and 7Be for assessing soil erosion and sedimentation. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 99, 1799–1807.
| Comparative advantages and limitations of the fallout radionuclides 137Cs, 210Pbex and 7Be for assessing soil erosion and sedimentation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtlyksLbF&md5=47767c013499349127fe00651f34cdd0CAS | 18947911PubMed |
Marestoni LD, Appoloni CR, Andrello AC, Martins EL (2009) 7Be fallout for superficial soil erosion assessment. In ‘Proceedings International Nuclear Atlantic Conference-INAC 2009’. 27 September–2 October 2009, Rio de Janeiro. (Associação Brasileira de Energia Nuclear: Rio de Janeiro)
Montgomery DR (2007) Soil erosion and agricultural sustainability. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 104, 13 268–13 272.
MWR (2002) The Second National Remote-Sensing investigation data of soil and water Loss. Ministry of Water Resources People’s Republic of China, Beijing. Available at: www.chinawater.com.cn.
Olson KR, Al-Kaisi MM, Lal R, Lowery B (2014) Experimental consideration, treatments and methods in determining soil organic carbon sequestration rates. Soil Science Society of America Journal 78, 348–360.
| Experimental consideration, treatments and methods in determining soil organic carbon sequestration rates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXovVOrtrY%3D&md5=3e562e535fe6003d331f8f07481c9a0dCAS |
Potter KN, Jones OR, Torbert HA, Unger PW (1997) Crop rotation and tillage effects on organic carbon sequestration in the semiarid southern Great Plains. Soil Science 162, 140–147.
| Crop rotation and tillage effects on organic carbon sequestration in the semiarid southern Great Plains.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhs12ltb0%3D&md5=d073e52c0d3562928cd630dfe1976df6CAS |
Quan X, Zheng Y, Miao Q (2001) Temporal-spatial distribution as well as tracks and source areas of sand-dust storms in China. Acta Geographica Sinica 56, 316–322. [in Chinese]
Ritchie JC, McCarty GW (2003) 137Cesium and soil carbon in a small agricultural watershed. Soil & Tillage Research 69, 45–51.
| 137Cesium and soil carbon in a small agricultural watershed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rong FJ (2004) ‘Development and application of movable erosion wind tunnel.’ (China Agricultural University: Beijing)
Salisbury R, Cartwright J (2005) Cosmogenic 7Be deposition in North Wales: 7Be concentrations in sheep faeces in relation to altitude and precipitation. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 78, 353–361.
| Cosmogenic 7Be deposition in North Wales: 7Be concentrations in sheep faeces in relation to altitude and precipitation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXpt1Whsbg%3D&md5=522eb02b81203322f2b2bb5ef2643427CAS | 15511568PubMed |
Sanderman J, Chappell A (2013) Uncertainty in soil carbon accounting due to unrecognized soil erosion. Global Change Biology 19, 264–272.
| Uncertainty in soil carbon accounting due to unrecognized soil erosion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23504737PubMed |
Schuller P, Iroumé A, Walling DE, Mancilla HB, Castillo A, Trumper RE (2006) Use of beryllium-7 to document soil redistribution following forest harvest operations. Journal of Environmental Quality 35, 1756–1763.
| Use of beryllium-7 to document soil redistribution following forest harvest operations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtVCktr%2FN&md5=404aa028b53e4341e384f6d9334db3a0CAS | 16899746PubMed |
Sepúlveda A, Schuller P, Walling DE, Castillo A (2008) Use of 7Be to document soil erosion associated with a short period of extreme rainfall. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 99, 35–49.
| Use of 7Be to document soil erosion associated with a short period of extreme rainfall.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17761362PubMed |
Shakesby RA, Blake WH, Doerr SH, Humphreys GS, Wallbrink PJ, Chafer CJ (2006) Hillslope erosion and bioturbidation after the Christmas 2001 forest fires near Sydney, Australia. In ‘Soil erosion and sediment redistribution in river catchments’. (Eds PN Owens, AJ Collins) pp. 51–61. (CABI Publishers: Wallingford, UK)
Sharratt B, Wendling L, Feng GL (2012) Surface characteristics of a windblown soil altered by tillage intensity during summer fallow. Aeolian Research 5, 1–7.
| Surface characteristics of a windblown soil altered by tillage intensity during summer fallow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shi F, Li YE, Gao QZ, Wan YF, Qin XB, Jin L, Liu YT, Wu YJ (2009) Effects of managements on soil organic carbon of grassland in China. Pratacultural Science 26, 9–15. [in Chinese]
Shi ZL, Wen AB, Zhang XB, Yan DC (2011) Comparison of the soil losses from 7Be measurements and the monitoring data by erosion pins and runoff plots in the Three Gorges Reservoir region, China. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 69, 1343–1348.
| Comparison of the soil losses from 7Be measurements and the monitoring data by erosion pins and runoff plots in the Three Gorges Reservoir region, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpvVyrt7k%3D&md5=e79a7c680b3a04ede8d2fa150374bf25CAS |
Singh S, Singh JS (1996) Water-stable aggregates and associated organic matter in forest, savanna, and cropland soils of a seasonally dry tropical region, India. Biology and Fertility of Soils 22, 76–82.
| Water-stable aggregates and associated organic matter in forest, savanna, and cropland soils of a seasonally dry tropical region, India.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stallard RF (1998) Terrestrial sedimentation and the carbon cycle: coupling weathering and erosion to carbon burial. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 12, 231–257.
VandenBygaart AJ, Yang XM, Kay BD, Aspinall JD (2002) Variability in carbon sequestration potential in no-till soil landscapes of southern Ontario. Soil & Tillage Research 65, 231–241.
| Variability in carbon sequestration potential in no-till soil landscapes of southern Ontario.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wallbrink PJ, Murray AS (1994) Fallout of 7Be in South Eastern Australia. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 25, 213–228.
| Fallout of 7Be in South Eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXjtVamsLY%3D&md5=ca7760e5a7a8a1cf1fc233398136954dCAS |
Walling DE, Woodward JC (1992) Use of radiometric fingerprints to derive information on suspended sediment sources. In ‘Erosion and Sediment Transport Monitoring Programmes in River Basins’. IAHS Publication No. 210, pp. 153–164. (International Association of Hydrological Sciences)
Wander MM, Bidart MG, Aref S (1998) Tillage impacts on depth distribution of total and particulate organic matter in three Illinois soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 62, 1704–1711.
| Tillage impacts on depth distribution of total and particulate organic matter in three Illinois soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjslymsA%3D%3D&md5=2d2a1f32ffdd51793b8e128c23a95ed3CAS |
Wang HM (2005) Temporal and spatial precipitation distribution in Chengde City, 2005. Available at: www.hbsw.net/news/shuiwenjishu/2008124/081241311G7F21FA83DEH7GKK4J.html (accessed 1 August 2005).
Wang XB, Oenema O, Hoogmoed WB, Perdok UD, Cai DX (2006) Dust storm erosion and its impact on soil carbon and nitrogen losses in northern China. Catena 66, 221–227.
| Dust storm erosion and its impact on soil carbon and nitrogen losses in northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang ZP, Han XG, Li LH (2008) Effects of grassland conversion to croplands on soil organic carbon in the temperate Inner Mongolia. Journal of Environmental Management 86, 529–534.
| Effects of grassland conversion to croplands on soil organic carbon in the temperate Inner Mongolia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXis1SksL4%3D&md5=e7ab3e862770226fcb030d7446ed1f22CAS | 17254695PubMed |
Wang SP, Wilkes A, Zhang ZC, Chang XF, Lang R, Wang YF, Niu HS (2011) Management and land use change effects on soil carbon in northern China’s grasslands: a synthesis. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 142, 329–340.
| Management and land use change effects on soil carbon in northern China’s grasslands: a synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Webb N, Chappell A, Strong C, Marx S, McTainsh G (2012) The significance of carbon-enriched dust for global carbon accounting. Global Change Biology 18, 3275–3278.
| The significance of carbon-enriched dust for global carbon accounting.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
West TO, Post G (2002) Soil organic carbon sequestration rates by tillage and crop rotation: a global data analysis. Soil Science Society of America Journal 66, 1930–1946.
| Soil organic carbon sequestration rates by tillage and crop rotation: a global data analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XoslKhsbk%3D&md5=e0551348be10df01d3c1845d98524368CAS |
Yan H, Wang S, Wang C, Zhang G, Patel N (2005) Losses of soil organic carbon under wind erosion in China. Global Change Biology 11, 828–840.
| Losses of soil organic carbon under wind erosion in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhao WZ, Xiao HL, Liu ZM, Li J (2005) Soil degradation and restoration as affected by land use change in the semiarid Bashang area, northern China. Catena 59, 173–186.
| Soil degradation and restoration as affected by land use change in the semiarid Bashang area, northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtVWgtL%2FP&md5=0f6fdae082bd3b88f6014b998cb3502fCAS |
