Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Land and Fertilizer Use and Protection Measures Against Climate Change

Module overview

• Effects of climate change on soil properties,

• Carbon budget of the agricultural soils and the importance of increasing carbon sequestration,

• Effects of land-use changes on soil carbon stocks,

• Effect of soil properties on greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils,

• Greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer use,

• Effects of lime application on greenhouse gas emission of agricultural soils

• Making fertilization more sustainable in terms of climate change,

• Fighting against deforestation, desertification and erosion

Introduction

A significant part of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming are released into the atmosphere as a result of agricultural activities. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture largely consist of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) gas. Although these gases are less abundant in the atmosphere than CO₂, they have a higher global warming potential. Emissions resulting from the use of fertilizers have a significant share in emissions from agriculture. Fertilizer-related emissions are mostly manifested by N₂O emissions resulting from the application of nitrogenous fertilizers. Over the past years, the increase in the amount of emission caused by synthetic fertilizers has increased at much higher rates compared to other agricultural emission factors. In addition to synthetic fertilizers, animal manure also has a significant share in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Land use type is of great importance in soil carbon retention. Meadows and forests generally retain higher amounts of carbon than arable agricultural lands. Depending on changes in land use, large differences may occur in the carbon balance of the soil. When forest areas, meadow pastures or other natural ecosystems are converted into arable agricultural areas, decreases in soil organic carbon are observed. Soil is formed in nature after a very long process. The pressure on soil, which is the basis of life on earth, is increasing day by day. Soil is the largest carbon sink after the oceans and is an important balance element against climate change. Carbon is stored in larger amounts in soil than in plants on land. Therefore, even small changes in the mass of soil organic carbon can have profound effects on atmospheric CO₂ concentration and thus climate change. There is a constant and reciprocal interaction between climate change and soil. If soil is not managed well, there will be more greenhouse gas emission and carbon storage abilities cannot work adequately. It is of great importance to protect existing agricultural areas and preventing the change of natural areas to agriculture areas while meeting the ever-increasing and diversified food demand on a global scale. In addition to increasing productivity in agricultural areas, taking measures to minimize losses in soil organic carbon is an important responsibility to minimize the effects of climate change.