Mapping regional impacts of agricultural expansion on terrestrial carbon storage

Regional Studies, Regional Science

Dmitry Yumashev¹  Jess Davies¹  Richard Bassett²  Victoria Janes-Bassett²  Gordon Blair³ 

[1] Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK;Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK; and Lancaster School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK;Lancaster School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK;

关键词: carbon storage;    East of England;    land use;    agriculture;    biogeochemical model;    plant–soil system;    O13;    O44;    Q01;    Q10;    Q15;    Q18;    Q24;    Q54;   

DOI  :  10.1080/21681376.2021.1967188

来源: Taylor & Francis

【 摘 要 】

As a result of growing food demands, the area of land used globally for agriculture has rapidly increased over the last 300 years. Clearance of natural vegetation and conversion of land to agriculture is often associated with terrestrial carbon loss, from both vegetation and soil stores. Changes in terrestrial carbon storage has implications for food production, climate and water regulation. Quantifying these changes is therefore vital to understand the risks to and resilience of these benefits. Land use in the East of England has significantly changed during this period and is now predominantly used for agriculture, specifically arable use. In order to map changes to terrestrial carbon storage in this region since 1700, we apply a plant–soil system biogeochemistry model, N14CP. The model indicates carbon storage in the East of England has decreased by 109 Mt (−35.7%) during the study period, and whilst losses are observed in both soil and vegetation stores, vegetation losses as a result of forest clearance dominate. These findings have implications for carbon sequestration strategies; the largest carbon storage gains within the region are likely to be achieved through land-use transitions such as afforestation, rather than soil sequestration through changing arable management practices.

【 授权许可】

CC BY