Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Florian Thomas Payen, Alasdair Sykes, Matt Aitkenhead, Peter Alexander, Dominic Moran, Michael MacLeod
Summary: The research found that adopting specific practices in vineyards can increase the rate of soil organic carbon sequestration, contributing positively to climate change mitigation.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manmohan Kaith, Pushpa Tirkey, D. R. Bhardwaj, Jatin Kumar, Jai Kumar
Summary: This study assessed the role of tree species in carbon storage and soil enrichment in the eastern plateau and hill region of India. It found that tree plantations significantly increased soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but decreased pH and bulk density. Gmelina arborea had the highest carbon density and carbon sequestration potential, followed by Eucalyptus tereticornis, Cassia siamea, and Leucaena leucocephala, indicating their suitability as atmospheric carbon reducers.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Arthur Gross, Tobias Bromm, Bruno Glaser
Summary: Biochar application to soil has the potential to effectively sequester carbon in the long term, with higher effectiveness in medium to long-term experiments. Organic fertilizer co-applications and biochar from plant material are shown to further increase soil organic carbon levels.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Axel Don, Felix Seidel, Jens Leifeld, Thomas Katterer, Manuel Martin, Sylvain Pellerin, David Emde, Daria Seitz, Claire Chenu
Summary: Carbon sequestration is the removal of carbon from the atmosphere and storage in soils, which is important for mitigating climate change. However, the term is often used misleadingly, leading to exaggerated expectations. While soils have the potential to absorb carbon, many are experiencing continuous loss, highlighting the need for accurate terminology to distinguish different processes.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hasintha Wijesekara, Kim Colyvas, Paul Rippon, Son A. Hoang, Nanthi S. Bolan, Madhab Chandra Manna, Ramesh Thangavel, Balaji Seshadri, Meththika Vithanage, Yasser M. Awad, Aravind Surapaneni, Christopher Saint, Guanglong Tian, Silvana Torri, Yong Sik Ok, M. B. Kirkham
Summary: A comprehensive meta-analysis identified several factors influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks after the application of biosolids, including cumulative biosolids carbon input rate, time after application, soil depth, and type of biosolids. Despite a negative relationship between years after biosolids application and SOC stocks, the slow mineralization of carbon in biosolids-applied soils suggests that biosolids are an effective strategy for soil carbon sequestration on a global scale.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
L. Bamiere, V Bellassen, D. Angers, R. Cardinael, E. Ceschia, C. Chenu, J. Constantin, N. Delame, A. Diallo, A- Graux, S. Houot, K. Klumpp, C. Launay, E. Letort, R. Martin, D. Meziere, C. Mosnier, O. Rechauchere, M. Schiavo, O. Therond, S. Pellerin
Summary: Following the Paris agreement, both the EU and France aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This study quantitatively evaluates the additional carbon storage potential and cost of eight carbon-storing practices in the French agricultural sector. It finds that developing agroforestry, hedges, cover crops, and temporary grasslands can significantly contribute to soil and biomass carbon storage, reducing total French GHG emissions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Matti Sihvonen, Sampo Pihlainen, Tin-Yu Lai, Tapio Salo, Kari Hyytiainen
Summary: The article introduces a multistep modeling approach for optimal management of fertilizer inputs, considering soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics, water and atmosphere externalities. Results show synergy between climate change mitigation and water protection goals, as well as a trade-off between pollution mitigation and crop production goals. Integrated nutrient management system proves better than using only inorganic or organic fertilizers.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Samuel Mensah Owusu, Michael Opoku Adomako, Hu Qiao
Summary: Organic amendments are crucial for climate change mitigation, but the presence of micro- and nanoplastics (M/NPs) weaken their regulatory mechanisms and exacerbate climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Milica Stankovic, Rohani Ambo-Rappe, Filipo Carly, Floredel Dangan-Galon, Miguel D. Fortes, Mohammad Shawkat Hossain, Wawan Kiswara, Cao Van Luong, Phan Minh-Thu, Amrit Kumar Mishra, Thidarat Noiraksar, Nurjannah Nurdin, Janmanee Panyawai, Ekkalak Rattanachot, Mohammad Rozaimi, U. Soe Htun, Anchana Prathep
Summary: This study aims to estimate national coastal blue carbon stocks in the seagrass ecosystems in Southeast Asia and highlight the seagrass meadows as a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation. The results show that seagrass meadows in the region have a significant capacity for carbon storage and can contribute to climate change mitigation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Qudsia Saeed, Afeng Zhang, Adnan Mustafa, Benhua Sun, Shulan Zhang, Xueyun Yang
Summary: This study compares the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions of two major and contrasting cropping systems. The results indicate that high nitrogen input increases overall greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint. The study also highlights the importance of soil organic carbon sequestration in reducing the carbon footprint.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Ji Liu, Linchuan Fang, Tianyi Qiu, Ji Chen, Hai Wang, Muxing Liu, Jun Yi, Hailin Zhang, Cong Wang, Jordi Sardans, Li Chen, Min Huang, Josep Penuelas
Summary: The combined use of organic fertilizers and crop residues can increase soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stocks, especially in the topsoil. In uplands, crop residue return can mitigate soil acidification and increase grain yield. The increase in soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stocks also depends on soil conditions and fertilizer levels.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Soil Science
Owais Ali Wani, Shamal Shasang Kumar, Nazir Hussain, Anas Ibni Ali Wani, Subhash Babu, Parvej Alam, Megna Rashid, Simona Mariana Popescu, Sheikh Mansoor
Summary: Carbon is essential in living organisms and plays a crucial role in agriculture. The changing global climate will significantly impact agriculture. Soil has various carbon pools, and factors such as climate, geology, and management techniques affect carbon storage capacity.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniela F. Cusack, Clare E. Kazanski, Alexandra Hedgpeth, Kenyon Chow, Amanda L. Cordeiro, Jason Karpman, Rebecca Ryals
Summary: The demand for beef globally is increasing rapidly, leading to concerns about its environmental impact, particularly greenhouse gas emissions. Strategies such as carbon sequestration and efficiency improvements have shown promise in reducing beef production emissions in certain regions, but achieving net-zero emissions on a global scale remains a challenge amidst growing demand.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samuel Eze, Matthew Magilton, Daniel Magnone, Sandra Varga, Iain Gould, Theresa G. Mercer, Matthew R. Goddard
Summary: The restoration of degraded lands and minimizing land degradation are important tasks in global environmental land management schemes. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of soil productivity and influences soil ecosystem services. Detecting changes in SOC stock within a short timeframe presents a challenge for land managers. This study aimed to identify early indicators of changes in SOC stock and their drivers by synthesizing global data on the impacts of land use change on SOC fractions and soil structural properties. The conversion of arable lands to forests and grasslands resulted in a significant increase in SOC fractions and soil structural stability. The study also found that certain SOC fractions, particularly particulate organic C and organic carbon stored in small macroaggregates, were strongly correlated with total SOC and can serve as suitable indicators of short-term changes in SOC stock. Further field studies are needed to validate the findings of this study and assess the applicability of SOC metrics under different land use change scenarios.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaotong Liu, Xueping Wu, Guopeng Liang, Fengjun Zheng, Mengni Zhang, Shengping Li
Summary: No-tillage has been shown to have positive impacts on soil aggregation and soil organic carbon, improving soil structure and promoting carbon sequestration. However, the specific responses vary depending on environmental and agronomic factors.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Marleen A. E. Vos, Jan den Ouden, Marcel Hoosbeek, Martin Valtera, Wim de Vries, Frank Sterck
Summary: The sustainability of tree harvest is questioned due to increased nutrient losses, which may reduce nutrient stocks in forest soils. This study assesses the forest nutrient balance and quantifies nutrient stocks and uptake rates in mature forest stands under different management scenarios.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Marleen A. E. Vos, Dieke de Boer, Wim de Vries, Jan den Ouden, Frank J. Sterck
Summary: This study compared the distribution of biomass, carbon, and nutrients in different aboveground tree compartments for mature trees of European beech, Douglas fir, and Scots pine in different canopy positions, and found that carbon concentrations were relatively constant while nutrient concentrations increased from stem to needles. Canopy position had only minor effects on carbon and nutrient concentrations and on the distribution of biomass, carbon, and nutrients between aboveground tree components.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Baojing Gu, Xiuming Zhang, Shu Kee Lam, Yingliang Yu, Hans J. M. van Grinsven, Shaohui Zhang, Xiaoxi Wang, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Sitong Wang, Jiakun Duan, Chenchen Ren, Lex Bouwman, Wim de Vries, Jianming Xu, Mark A. Sutton, Deli Chen
Summary: Cropland is a major contributor to nitrogen pollution, and reducing this pollution is a challenge due to the decentralized nature of the pollution and the limitations in implementing pollution-reduction measures. By analyzing field observations, we have identified key measures that can significantly reduce nitrogen losses from croplands while improving crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Implementing these measures on a global scale could lead to significant benefits in food supply, human health, ecosystems, and climate, with relatively low mitigation costs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhilong He, Ying Zhang, Xuejun Liu, Wim de Vries, Gerard H. Ros, Oene Oenema, Wen Xu, Yong Hou, Hongliang Wang, Fusuo Zhang
Summary: This study optimized poultry production systems in China by reducing waste emissions and adopting environmental measures, resulting in increased economic benefits and improved environmental performance.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Dirk-Jan Daniel Kok, Laura Scherer, Wim de Vries, Peter Michiel van Bodegom
Summary: Organic amendments can enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to droughts and floods by improving soil hydro-physical properties. However, little is known about the temporal variability of their impacts and the influence of quantity and quality of organic amendments.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yu Gu, Qichao Zhu, Dongfang Zheng, Jianbo Shen, Zejiang Cai, Minggang Xu, Wim de Vries
Summary: Maintaining appropriate soil phosphorus levels is crucial for sustainable phosphorus management and reducing phosphorus losses to water bodies. A 29-year long-term phosphorus fertilization experiment in China examined the effects of long-term fertilization on different soil phosphorus pools, crop yields, and phosphorus loss risk. Results showed that continuous phosphorus application led to an increase in soil phosphorus pools, with POLSEN and POX peaking at a phosphorus accumulation near 3200 kg P ha-1, indicating an increasing risk for leaching. The crop yields of wheat and maize were strongly correlated with changes in PTOTAL, POX, POLSEN, and PCACL2, with POX being the most influential.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maarten van Doorn, Debby van Rotterdam, Gerard Ros, Gerwin F. Koopmans, Erik Smolders, Wim de Vries
Summary: Current P fertilizer recommendations must be revised to balance crop yield, water quality, and finite P resources. Current soil P tests do not provide the necessary insights. The oxalate extraction method shows promise as an agri-environmental soil test as it measures the total pool of P and the maximum P sorption capacity. These insights are crucial for assessing crop response, P loss risk, and the judicious use of finite P reserves.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Siwen Zhang, Qichao Zhu, Wim de Vries, Gerard H. Ros, Xiaohui Chen, Muhammad Atif Muneer, Fusuo Zhang, Liangquang Wu
Summary: Soil amendments, such as lime, biochar, industrial by-products, manure, and straw, can effectively alleviate soil acidification and improve crop productivity. However, the impact of these amendments on soil pH and crop yield has not been comprehensively evaluated while taking into account soil properties. Through a synthesis of 832 observations from 142 papers, this study found that some amendments significantly increased soil pH and crop yield. The most effective responses were observed in long-term applications (>6 years) on strongly acidic sandy soils with low cation exchange capacity and organic matter content. The addition of lime, manure, and straw seem most appropriate for soils with different initial pH ranges.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joao Serra, Claudia Marques-dos-Santos, Joana Marinheiro, Eduardo Aguilera, Luis Lassaletta, Alberto Sanz-Cobena, Josette Garnier, Gilles Billen, Wim de Vries, Tommy Dalgaard, Nicholas Hutchings, Maria do Rosario Cameira
Summary: Irrigation is often overlooked in agricultural nitrogen budgets, but it can be a significant source of nitrogen in irrigated agriculture. This study quantified the nitrogen input from irrigation water sources to cropping systems in Europe, showing that the nitrogen input increased over a 10-year period, with the Mediterranean region being the main hotspot. By not considering irrigation, environmental and agricultural policies are underestimating the extent of nitrogen pollution in European irrigated systems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luncheng You, Gerard H. Ros, Yongliang Chen, Qi Shao, Madaline D. Young, Fusuo Zhang, Wim de Vries
Summary: This study assesses the effects of nutrient, crop, and soil management on nitrogen recovery efficiency (NUEr) and highlights the importance of site conditions. The data-driven models predict a potential increase in global mean NUEr by 30%, which can improve food production while minimizing environmental damage, with variations between different regions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dico Fraters, Gerard H. Ros, Timo Brussee
Summary: The nitrate concentration in subsoil moisture is crucial for predicting groundwater quality. Although centrifugation is a common method, batch extraction provides a cost-effective alternative. This study compared the two methods and found differences in nitrate and other anion concentrations, indicating the importance of using appropriate methods for accurate measurements and monitoring.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinrui Ge, Martijn Schaap, Wim de Vries
Summary: By updating an agricultural ammonia emission model with a high-resolution crop map and a livestock housing location database, the spatial and temporal variability of atmospheric ammonia emissions in the Netherlands can be improved. The study shows that the satellite-derived crop map and animal housing system location information are crucial for better estimation of the spatial and temporal distribution of ammonia emissions.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT-X
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luncheng You, Gerard H. Ros, Yongliang Chen, Xuejun Liu, Minggang Xu, Yifei Zhang, Wim de Vries
Summary: To reduce water pollution, it is necessary for China to improve nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. By optimizing agricultural nitrogen management strategies, it is possible to reduce nitrogen losses without compromising crop yields, with optimal measures depending on specific conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)