Summary
This modelling study for Switzerland integrates soil carbon storage, food production, and agricultural greenhouse gas emissions to assess the realistic potential of soil carbon sequestration practices to 2100. The authors find that whilst cover cropping, biochar addition, and agroforestry-biochar sequestration show promise in 2020–2050 (ranging from 0.30 to 2.3 t CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), limiting factors including land and biomass availability and population growth constraints substantially reduce sequestration rates thereafter. The work highlights that net zero planning must integrate food system linkages and account for competing land use demands.
UK applicability
The study's modelling approach and integrated assessment methodology are transferable to UK contexts, though the specific sequestration rates and constraints would differ given the UK's distinct climate, agricultural structure, and land availability. The finding that food production demands and population growth limit sustained carbon sequestration has direct relevance to UK net zero and food security policy planning.
Key measures
Soil carbon sequestration rates (t CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹); agricultural greenhouse gas emissions; food production capacity; soil organic carbon stocks
Outcomes reported
The study modelled soil carbon sequestration rates for three management scenarios (cover cropping, biochar addition, agroforestry-biochar) across 2020–2050 and 2051–2100, accounting for constraints from land availability, biomass availability, and population growth. It quantified how these limitations reduce the sustainability of sequestration rates in the second half of the century and the associated agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
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