Carbon Sequestration in Soils of Latin America (Paperback)

Discover the latest available knowledge on ways to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere!

The problem of quickly mounting CO2 emissions in the fast-developing Latin American region was addressed in a symposium held in Piracicaba, Brazil, in June 2004. Carbon Sequestration in Soils of Latin America presents the latest available knowledge in soil C sequestration and improved land and soil management which can also lead to other positive effects, such as greater fertility of soil and higher crop yields. This text, in easy-to-understand language, comprehensively reviews ways to best transform various soils from being a source of carbon released into the atmosphere to become a sink for carbon absorption.

Carbon Sequestration in Soils of Latin America presents a full-rounded explanation of this information in four sections. The first section gives detailed background information about the region, its climate, and the differing soils, along with basic concepts behind the science. The second section describes recommended management practices and rates of soil C sequestration. The third section thoroughly deals with methods of assessment of soil C. The last section provides a summary of recommendations for further research and development. The book is extensively referenced and contains numerous figures, tables, and photographs.

Topics in Carbon Sequestration in Soils of Latin America include:

soil eco-regions and principal biomes of Latin America
soil carbon stock in principal ecosystems of Latin America
rates of carbon sequestration in different eco-regions for predominant land use and management
the role of the Amazon region in mitigating climate change
the importance of tropical savannas of Latin America in mitigating global warming
innovative methods of assessment of soil carbon pool
trading carbon credits
designing pilot soil carbon sequestration projects
potential of soil carbon sequestration in Latin America
priorities and recommendations for future research

Carbon Sequestration in Soils of Latin America is a comprehensive, essential resource for land managers, policymakers, educators, students, and researchers.

About the Editors
Contributors
Preface
PART I. PHYSIOGRAPHY AND BACKGROUND
Chapter 1. Soil Ecoregions in Latin America (Boris Volkoff and Martial Bernoux)
Introduction
Continental Parameters
The Biophysical or Natural Environment
Soil Regions in Latin America
Conclusion
Chapter 2. Challenges and Opportunities of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Latin America (C. C. Cerri, M. Bernoux, C. E. P. Cerri, and R. Lal)
Introduction
Soil Carbon Stock Estimation Under Native Vegetation
Changes of Soil Carbon Stocks upon Land-Use Change
Final Considerations and Conclusions
Chapter 3. Soil Carbon Sequestration in Latin America (R. Lal)
Introduction
Terrestrial Carbon Pool
Soil Carbon Sequestration
Soil Carbon Sink Capacity
Rate of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration
Opportunities of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Latin America
Conclusions
Chapter 4. Soil Carbon Stocks in Soil Ecoregions of Latin America (Martial Bernoux and Boris Volkoff)
Introduction
Present Land Use and Estimates of Soil Carbon Stocks Impacted by Agricultural Activities
Conclusion
PART II. SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN DIFFERENT BIOMES OF LATIN AMERICA
Chapter 5. Soil Carbon Sequestration in Western Mountain Ridges and Deserts of South America (D. Gómez, C. Balbontín, A. Monterroso, and J. D. Etchevers)
Introduction
General Characteristics of Biome B by Country
Land Use and Land-Use Change in Biome B
Soil Degradation in Biome B
Soil Carbon Storage in Biome B
Conclusions
Chapter 6. Carbon Sequestration in Soils of the Western Mountain Ridges and Deserts of Argentina (R. A. Rosell and J. A. Galantini)
Introduction
Biome B of Argentina
Management of Soil Organic Carbon Under Different Environments
Estimated Potential of Carbon Sequestration
Conclusions
Chapter 7. Soil Carbon Sequestration in Mexico and Central America (Biome A) (J. D. Etchevers, O. Masera, C. Balbontín, D. Gómez, A. Monterroso, R. Martínez, M. Acosta, M. Martínez, and C. Ortiz)
Introduction
Land Use and Land-Use Change in Mexico and Central America
Soil Degradation in Mexico and Central America
Carbon Stocks in Soils of Mexico
Potential Soil Carbon Sequestration and Land-Use Change
Conclusions
Chapter 8. Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Costa Rica (Alfredo Alvarado)
Introduction
Soil Organic Matter As Affected by Life Zone
Soil Organic Matter As Affected by Type of Soil
Turnover of Soil Organic Matter Aboveground
Turnover of Soil Organic Matter Belowground
Soil Organic Matter and Ecosystem Management
Considerations About Soil Organic Matter Determination
Soil Organic Matter Stock in Costa Rica
Chapter 9. Above- and Belowground Carbon Sequestration Under Various Land-Use Systems and Soil Types in Costa Rica (J. J. Jiménez and R. Lal)
Introduction
Costa Rica: Overview
Potential Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration in Costa Rica
Carbon Sequestration in Aboveground Biomass
Potential of Carbon Sequestration in Costa Rica
Conclusions
Chapter 10. Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in the Caribbean (C. Feller, E. Blanchart, C. Clermont-Dauphin, Y. M. Cabidoche, C. Venkatapen, C. E. P. Cerri, A. Albrecht, T. Chevallier,
D. Arrouays, M. C. Larré-Larrouy, and M. Bernoux)
Introduction
Population and Land Use
Soils of Biome C: Types, Distribution, Constraints, and Degradation
Soil/Crop Management and SOC Stock
Potential for SOC Sequestration in Biome C
Policy Considerations
Conclusions
Chapter 11. Carbon Sequestration Potential of the Neotropical Savannas of Colombia and Venezuela (Marco A. Rondón, Mandius Romero, Dimas Acevedo, Lina Sarmiento, Rosa M. Hernandez, Miguel Ayarza, Yolanda Rubiano, Edmundo Barrios, Mariela Rivera, Idupulapati Rao, and Edgar Amezquita)
Introduction
Landscape Units
Climate
Soils
Native Vegetation
Land Use
Constraints to Primary Productivity
Current Carbon Stocks in Soils
Effects of Land-Use Intensification
Carbon Sequestration Potential
Uncertainties in the Social and International Contexts
Opportunities for Carbon Trading in the Llanos
Conclusions and Future Perspectives
Chapter 12. Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration in the Amazonian Tropical Rainforests (C. E. P. Cerri, C. C. Cerri, M. Bernoux, B. Volkoff, and M. A. Rondón)
Introduction
Description of the Study Area
Scenarios of Soil C Sequestration in the Amazon
Final Considerations
Chapter 13. Carbon Sequestration Potential of Pasture and Agro-Silvo-Pastoral Systems in Tropical Andean Hillsides (M. C. Amézquita, P. Buurman, E. Murgueitio, and E. Amézquita)
Introduction
The Tropical Andean Hillsides Ecosystem
Carbon Sequestration Research in the Tropical Andean Hillsides
Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential in the Tropical Andean Hillsides Ecosystem
Conclusions
Chapter 14. Soil Carbon Storage and Sequestration Potential in the Cerrado Region of Brazil (Mercedes M. C. Bustamante, Marc Corbeels, Eric Scopel, and Renato Roscoe)
Introduction
Land-Use History in the Cerrado Region
Soil Carbon Stocks Under Native Cerrado Vegetation
Impacts of Land Use on Soil C Storage
Modeling Changes in Soil Organic C and Total N
Adoption of Better Agricultural Practices and Potential of Soil C Sequestration
Chapter 15A. Potential of Carbon Sequestration in Soils of the Atlantic Forest Region of Brazil (Robert M. Boddey, Claudia P. Jantalia, Michele O. Macedo, Octávio C. de Oliveira, Alexander S. Resende, Bruno J. R. Alves, and Segundo Urquiaga)
Introduction
States of the Federation Within the Biome “Atlantic Forest”
Land Use
Soil Carbon Accumulation Under Different Land Uses
Synthesis, Scenarios, and Conclusions
Chapter 15B. Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration for the Brazilian Atlantic Region (F. F. C. Mello, C. E. P. Cerri, M. Bernoux, B. Volkoff, and C. C. Cerri)
Introduction
Description of the Study Area
Actual Land Use
Scenarios and Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration
Conclusions
Chapter 16. The Potential for Soil Carbon Sequestration in the Pampas (Martín Díaz-Zorita and Daniel E. Buschiazzo)
Introduction
Land Use
Soils and Soil Degradation
Soil/Crop Management
Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration
Policy Considerations
Conclusions
Chapter 17. Effects of Environmental and Management Practices on the Potential for Climatic Change Mitigation in the Pampas of Argentina (Juan A. Galantini and Ramón A. Rosell)
Introduction
Environmental Factors Related to Sink Capacity
Management Effects on SOC Sequestration
Conclusions
PART III. SOIL CARBON ASSESSMENT METHODS
Chapter 18. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Applications for Soil Carbon Measurement (Michael H. Ebinger, David A. Cremers, Clifton M. Meyer, and Ronny D. Harris)
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Chapter 19. The Potential of Spectroscopic Methods for the Rapid Analysis of Soil Samples (J. B. Reeves III, G. W. McCarty, R. F. Follett, and J. M. Kimble)
Introduction
Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Chapter 20. In Situ Noninvasive Soil Carbon Analysis: Sample Size and Geostatistical Considerations (Lucian Wielopolski)
Introduction
Attributes of the INS System
Conclusion
Chapter 21. Methods and Tools for Designing a Pilot Soil Carbon Sequestration Project (R. C. Izaurralde and C. W. Rice)
Introduction
Regional Context
Detecting and Scaling Changes in Soil Carbon by Direct Measurements, Simulation Modeling, and Remote Sensing Interpretation
Conclusion
Chapter 22. Advances in Models to Measure Soil Carbon: Can Soil Carbon Really Be Measured? (John Kimble)
Introduction
Can We Measure Soil Carbon?
General Concerns
Assessment and Measurement Concerns
Conclusion
Chapter 23. Bulk Density Measurement for Assessment of Soil Carbon Pools (R. Lal)
Introduction
Factors Affecting Soil Bulk Density
Anthropogenic Factors Affecting Soil Bulk Density
Importance of Bulk Density in Measuring Pools of Carbon and Other Constituents
Reasons for Accurate Measurement of Soil Carbon Pools
Measurement of Soil Bulk Density
Bulk Density Measurement for Problem Soils
Prediction of Soil Bulk Density
Conclusions
PART IV. CONCLUSION
Chapter 24. Recommendations for Research and Development (R. Lal, C. Cerri, M. Bernoux, and J. Etchevers)
Establishment of the Latin American Soil Carbon Network
Rates of Soil Carbon Sequestration
Measuring, Monitoring, and Verification
Policies and Programs
How Governments Can Encourage Soil Carbon Sequestration
Communication Among Scientists, Policymakers, and Land Managers
Specific Research Priorities
Index
Reference Notes Included

Soil Science

Carbon Sequestration in Soils of Latin America

Edited by Rattan Lal, Carlos Cerri

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