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Research and Development Priorities Towards Recarbonization of the Biosphere

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Abstract

Despite the importance of the terrestrial biosphere for the global carbon (C) cycle and its potential to reduce the rate of enrichment of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by anthropogenic emissions, there is incomplete and insufficient scientific knowledge to identify sources and sink of C, risks of biomes to climate change, and site-specific practices to recarbonizing the biosphere. Two options of mitigating climate change through management of biomes are (i) to enhance, manage and sustain biomass production and prolong the residence time of biomass C, and (ii) to improve the C balance within the biosphere. In addition, there is a lack of modus operandi on developing science-policy, nexus to identify and implement appropriate policy interventions to promote adoption of land use and management practices leading to recarbonization of the biosphere. In addition to reducing the magnitude of anthropogenic sources (e.g., deforestation, peatland cultivation, drainage of wetlands, excessive tillage), it is also important to identify and enhance the capacity of land-based C sinks. Further, C sequestration in the terrestrial biosphere must compliment and not threaten or compete with other functions such as food production, water resources, nutrients and biodiversity. Priority biomes for recarbonization are peatlands, wetlands, degraded/desertified lands, and agroecosystems. Biomes with risks of positive feedback to climate change are permafrost and peatlands, and the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. A global platform/instrument is needed to enhance soil-policy nexus, promote synergism and complimentary among organizations, addressing this issue of global significance.

Keywords

Anthropogenic emissions Greenhouse gases Anthromes Anthropocene Global warming Priority biomes Peatlands Permafrost Positive feedback Global carbon budget Unknown carbon sink Unknown carbon source Cryosols Carbon density Rice paddy Deforestation Climate change risk analysis CO2 fertilization effect Carbon burial in lakes Dissolved organic carbon Wild fires The human dimensions 

Abbreviations

C

carbon

CCS

Carbon Capture and Storage

CO2

carbon dioxide

DOC

dissolved organic carbon

GCC

global carbon cycle

GHGs

greenhouse gases

LULCC

land use/land cover change

CH4

methane

NPP

net primary production

POC

particulate organic carbon

SOC

soil organic carbon

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© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Carbon Management and Sequestration CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusUSA
  2. 2.Global Soil ForumIASS Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies e.V.PotsdamGermany
  3. 3.Deutsches GeoForschungszentrum GFZPotsdamGermany
  4. 4.Zentrum für EntwicklungsforschungUniversität BonnBonnGermany

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