Hello guest
Your basket is empty
We provide two pathways to the content. Thematic (chapters that address certain themes, e.g. cultivation, regardless of crop or animal type) and Product (chapters that relate to a specific type of crop or animal). Choose the most applicable route to find the right collection for you. 
 
Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact us and let us help you build a custom-made collection. 
You are in: All categories > Open Access
Use the Contact form to discuss the best purchasing method for you... Start building your collection today!

Management of organic soils to reduce soil organic carbon losses

Code: 9781801463249
Sonja Paul and Jens Leifeld, Agroscope, Switzerland

Chapter synopsis: Organic soils of intact peatlands store 1/4 of the global soil organic carbon (SOC). Despite being an important source of methane (CH4), they are climate coolers because they continuously accumulate new organic carbon. However, when these organic soils are drained for agriculture, the resulting aerobic conditions lead to fast decomposition of the peat and the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), turning them into net greenhouse gas (GHG) sources. Reducing the environmental footprint of managing these soils requires a good understanding of the processes during drainage of formerly anoxic soil horizons and eventual subsequent rewetting. We describe changes in soil properties and carbon dynamics following drainage of peatlands and discuss management strategies to reduce carbon loss from drained peatlands by raising the water table to either restore the peatland ecosystem, or to cultivate water-tolerant crops. In addition to rewetting, engineering approaches with continuous management at deeper water tables are evaluated in terms of SOC loss.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2022.0106.20

Click here to download
£0.00
Table of contents 1 Introduction 2 Soil properties and carbon dynamic following peatland drainage 3 Management strategies to reduce soil organic carbon loss from drained peatlands 4 Where to look for further information 5 References

Also in Open Access