The Role of Forest and Soil Carbon Sequestrations on Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

The emission of CO₂ concentration from industries, burning of fossil fuels and deforestation causes GHGs. Hence, forests in terms of agroforestry, plantation, reforestation has been suggested as one of the most appropriate land management systems for mitigating atmospheric CO₂ through photosynthesis process. Forest ecosystems also contribute to store more than 80% of all terrestrial aboveground C and more than 70% of all SOC. Forests operate both as vehicles for capturing additional carbon and as carbon reservoirs in different carbon pools (above ground, root and litter). The other form of carbon pool is soil carbon sequestration also increases SOC stocks through judicious land use and recommended management practices. Forest soils are one of the major carbon sinks on earth, because of their higher organic matter content. Furthermore, soil carbon sequestration is a bridge across three global issues climate change, desertification, and biodiversity. Therefore, developed countries can implement their emission reductions at lower costs and developing countries receive more capital for environmentally sound investments that contribute to sustainable development. This offers an economic opportunity for subsistence farmers in developing countries, the major practitioners of agroforestry, afforestation and reforestation for selling of carbon sequestered to industrialized countries and it will be an environmental benefit to the global community at large as well.

Keywords: forest carbon sequestration, soil organic carbon, climate change