thumbnail

A guide to potential soil carbon sequestration: Land-use management for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions

Open-File Report 2001-374
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr01374

Links

Abstract

Terrestrial carbon sequestration has a potential role in reducing the recent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) that is, in part, contributing to global warming. Because the most stable long-term surface reservoir for carbon is the soil, changes in agriculture and forestry can potentially reduce atmospheric CO2 through increased soil-carbon storage. If local governments and regional planning agencies are to effect changes in land-use management that could mitigate the impacts of increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is essential to know how carbon is cycled and distributed on the landscape. Only then can a cost/benefit analysis be applied to carbon sequestration as a potential land-use management tool for mitigation of GHG emissions. For the past several years, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been researching the role of terrestrial carbon in the global carbon cycle. Data from these investigations now allow the USGS to begin to (1) 'map' carbon at national, regional, and local scales; (2) calculate present carbon storage at land surface; and (3) identify those areas having the greatest potential to sequester carbon.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title A guide to potential soil carbon sequestration: Land-use management for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2001-374
DOI 10.3133/ofr01374
Year Published 2001
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description 4 p.
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Mitchell County, Yancey County
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details