Summary
This modelling study for Switzerland integrates soil carbon sequestration potential with food production and agricultural greenhouse gas emissions across three management interventions. The authors found that whilst cover cropping, biochar addition, and agroforestry-biochar combinations achieved sequestration rates of 0.30–2.3 t CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ during 2020–2050, these rates cannot be sustained beyond 2050 under any scenario due to constraints from population growth, land availability, and biomass availability. The work emphasises that net-zero strategies must integrate soil carbon sequestration planning with food system requirements rather than treating them independently.
UK applicability
Whilst this study is based on Swiss conditions and agricultural policy frameworks, the fundamental finding—that soil carbon sequestration potential is bounded by food production, land availability, and population growth—is likely applicable to UK farming systems. UK policymakers developing soil health and net-zero strategies should consider similar integrated assessments to avoid unintended trade-offs between carbon sequestration goals and domestic food security.
Key measures
Soil carbon sequestration rates (t CO₂-eq ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹); agricultural greenhouse gas emissions; food production capacity; limiting factors (land and biomass availability)
Outcomes reported
The study modelled soil carbon sequestration rates under three management scenarios (cover cropping, biochar addition, and agroforestry-biochar addition) from 2020–2050 and projected their sustainability to 2100, accounting for constraints imposed by land availability, biomass availability, and population growth. It quantified associated greenhouse gas emissions and identified trade-offs between soil carbon storage and food production capacity.
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