Enhancement of Soil Carbon Sequestration

Research at PNNL has focused on understanding the fundamental process by which humus is created and identifying practical management options to enhance the rate of humification in agricultural soils.

Influence of No-Till on SOM, Biota, and Aggregation in Temperate and Tropical Soils

In a recent review, Six et al. (2002) present a general comparison of soil organic matter stabilization mechanisms in tropical versus temperate soils.

Soil C Saturation: Determining Rates and Limits of Carbon Sequestration

Increasing soil C through changes in land use and management is a low cost and environmentally beneficial method of sequestering substantial amounts of atmospheric CO2.

Integrating Soil Physics, Soil Chemistry and Soil Biology to Understand C Sequestration

As atmospheric levels of CO2 increase steadily, the ability of terrestrial systems to assimilate this burden of CO2 is critically linked to the amount of C sequestered in soils and to the rate that biomass is converted to and sequestered as soil C.

Controls on Soil Organic Matter Dynamics. A Cross Site Comparison

The dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) is a major factor in soil fertility and determines whether soils sequester or lose carbon under different management practices.

Multiple Benefits of Carbon-Friendly Agricultural Practices

Iowa State University study estimates multiple benefits of a conservation tillage subsidy policy.

Towards Implementing Carbon Markets in Agriculture

Until policy mechanisms that appropriately incorporate the potentially temporary nature of sinks are developed, it is unlikely that agricultural sequestration will gain widespread acceptance.

Below-ground Carbon Storage Study: Konza Prairie

The goal of this research is to discover how prescribed burning, grazing or mowing frequency, and nutrient additions affect above-ground and below-ground biological process, including soil carbon and nitrogen levels in the tallgrass prairie.

Effects of Carbon Sequestration BMPs

Some of the most commonly recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) for carbon sequestration include no-till or reduced tillage, more intensive crop rotations, and optimal nitrogen fertilization rates.

Soil Carbon Levels Highest in Upper Soil Layers

Three K-State long-term tillage and fertility studies have recently been analyzed for changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) levels.

Economics of Sequestering Carbon in the U.S. Agricultural Sector

This study explores the economic potential of sequestering additional C in the U.S. agricultural sector by providing farmers with incentives to expand the adoption of land uses and production practices that increase C storage in soils and vegetation.

Soil and Crop Management Effects on Soil Carbon Sequestration

Long-term field studies are being used to determine the effects of tillage, rotation, and nitogen management on soil carbon and nitrogen pools and turnover.

Soil Carbon Stocks Across an Irrigation Chronosequence

Irrigation dramatically changes the productivity of cropland in arid and semi-arid regions, resulting in much higher yields as well as greater amounts of crop residues that are returned to the soil.

Irrigated Crop Rotation, Tillage, and Nitrogen Impacts On Soil Carbon Storage

Managing agricultural systems to optimize soil carbon storage and minimize nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions can have a significant impact on the future concentration of greenhouse gases as well as sustainability of the crop production system.

Pasture management and soil C

We reviewed the literature to examine ways that grassland management impacts soil C stocks.

An integraded approach to develop baseline soil carbon content in semiarid eastern Oregon

The Century model was used to assess the impacts of potential changes in land management on semiarid rangeland in Central Oregon.

Command-and-Control Policy Instruments versus Market-Based Instruments

A current research project at Iowa State University compares and evaluates policy instruments for providing environmental goods.

Reproducing Long-Term Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics with the EPIC Model

This work tests the EPIC model against soil carbon trend and crop production data from a long-term experiment from Arlington, WI.

Analysis of carbon dynamics in the US agricultural soils by using crop yield data

Carbon (C) sinks in agricultural soils can help mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and hence global warming. This study focuses on estimating crop residual C inputs to agricultural soils in the US, by using crop yield data and weather information.

Understanding variations in N2O emissions from agricultural landscapes

Recent research aims to characterize the influence of soil-landscape combinations and N fertilizer application rates on agricultural N2O emissions.

The Nebraska Carbon Study

Quantifying the change in greenhouse gas emissions due to natural resource conservation practice application in Nebraska. A collaborative effort between CSU-NREL, the State of Nebraska, USDA NRCS and the US DOE

The Indiana Carbon Storage Project

Quantifying the Change in Greenhouse Gas Emissions due to Natural Resource Conservation Practice Application in Indiana. A collaborative effort between USDA NRCS and CSU - NREL.

The Iowa Carbon Storage Project

Quantifying the change in greenhouse gas emissions due to natural resource conservation practice application in Iowa. A collaborative effort between USDA NRCS and CSU NREL.

A modeling approach to examining soil carbon management strategies at the landscape scale

Research at PNNL’s Joint Global Change Research Institute has begun to address the issue of scaling in carbon sequestration studies. We demostrate a modeling approach using a test study site in Maryland.

Regional Assessment of Net Greenhouse Gas Fluxes from Agricultural Soils in the US Great Plains

Recent Trends in CO2 flux between U.S. Agricultural Soils and the Atmosphere

Agricultural land use and management has led to modest amounts of carbon sequestration in soils over the past decade. Gains are due to setting-aside land in the Conservation Reserve Program and organic ammendments to crop and grazing lands.

CSTORE: A Tool for Monitoring Soil Carbon Changes in Agricultural Systems

Forecasting and quantification of soil C stock changes are essential component of agricultural carbon sequestration projects. We are developing a new model, called CSTORE, to quantify and assess soil carbon stock changes in agricultural systems.

Research at the K-State North Agronomy Farm near Manhattan has examined the effect of tillage systems, N sources, and N rates on carbon (C) sequestration levels in non-irrigated continuous corn.

Carbon Flux in Native Pasture Affected by Drought and Seasons

K-State researchers have been measuring carbon flux between the surface and the atmosphere over native pastures near Manhattan, and in a cedar forest north of Randolph (near Manhattan) since 1999.

CASMGS Trace Gas Flux Measurement Program

The Trace Gas Flux Measurement Program began in the spring of 2002 at sites near Fort Collins, CO and Sterling, CO. Read more about the experimental design and see pictures from the field.

Remote sensing and grassland management

We are attempting to develop tools to enable remote detection of grassland management.

A current research project at Iowa State University compares and evaluates policy instruments for providing environmental goods.

Multiple Benefits of Carbon-Friendly Agricultural Practices

Iowa State University study estimates multiple benefits of a conservation tillage subsidy policy.

Towards Implementing Carbon Markets in Agriculture

Until policy mechanisms that appropriately incorporate the potentially temporary nature of sinks are developed, it is unlikely that agricultural sequestration will gain widespread acceptance.

Reproducing Long-Term Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics with the EPIC Model

This work tests the EPIC model against soil carbon trend and crop production data from a long-term experiment from Arlington, WI.

Below-ground Carbon Storage Study: Konza Prairie

The goal of this research is to discover how prescribed burning, grazing or mowing frequency, and nutrient additions affect above-ground and below-ground biological process, including soil carbon and nitrogen levels in the tallgrass prairie.

Effects of Carbon Sequestration BMPs

Some of the most commonly recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs) for carbon sequestration include no-till or reduced tillage, more intensive crop rotations, and optimal nitrogen fertilization rates.

Analysis of carbon dynamics in the US agricultural soils by using crop yield data

Carbon (C) sinks in agricultural soils can help mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and hence global warming. This study focuses on estimating crop residual C inputs to agricultural soils in the US, by using crop yield data and weather information.

Soil Carbon Levels Highest in Upper Soil Layers

Three K-State long-term tillage and fertility studies have recently been analyzed for changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) levels.

Economics of Sequestering Carbon in the U.S. Agricultural Sector

This study explores the economic potential of sequestering additional C in the U.S. agricultural sector by providing farmers with incentives to expand the adoption of land uses and production practices that increase C storage in soils and vegetation.

Understanding variations in N2O emissions from agricultural landscapes

Recent research aims to characterize the influence of soil-landscape combinations and N fertilizer application rates on agricultural N2O emissions.

Enhancement of Soil Carbon Sequestration

Research at PNNL has focused on understanding the fundamental process by which humus is created and identifying practical management options to enhance the rate of humification in agricultural soils.

Newly updated, as of May 15, 2008, list of CASMGS Outreach activities.

Third Annual Conference on Carbon Sequestration

The Third Annual Conference on Carbon Sequestration will be held May 3-6 in Alexandria, VA.

CASMGS 2003 Fall Forum: Measuring and Monitoring Carbon

Join fellow scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives in discussing this question at the Carbon Measurement and Monitoring Forum.

BERA Capitol Hill Luncheon: The

We have scheduled a BERA Capitol Hill Luncheon, The Benefits of Large-Scale Carbon Offset Programs, for Thursday, May 22.

Second Annual Conference on Carbon Sequestration: Agenda posted

The agenda has been posted for the Second Annual Conference on Carbon Sequestration: "Developing and Validating the Technology Base to Reduce Carbon Intensity."

The CASMGS Newsletter

The letter provides information on some of the project level administrative matters, research done by participating CASMGS institutions, CASMGS web sites, and important meetings in area of carbon sequestration.

Carbon Sequestration Strategies in a Post-Kyoto World

The Environmental Law Institute and the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources are pleased to announce a timely seminar.

Second National Conference on Carbon Sequestration

The U.S. Department of Energy together with other federal agencies, working together with private industry and academia, is cosponsoring the Second Carbon Sequestration Conference.

6th International Symposium on Plant Responses to Air Pollution and Global Changes

The following is first information on "The 6th International Symposium on Plant Responses to Air Pollution and Global Changes (APGC): from Molecular Biology to Plant Production and Ecosystem, Tsukuba(Japan), 2004".

U.S. Climate Change Science Program: Planning Workshop

U.S. Climate Change Science Program: Planning Workshop for Scientists and Stakeholders Sponsored by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, Incorporating USGCRP and CCRI December 3-5, 2002

Zero-Tillage Farmers Association of the Cerrado Region

The Zero-Tillage Farmers Association of the Cerrado Region, commemorating 10 years of activities, has the pleasure of announcing three new publications on agriculture and environment.

CASMGS Outreach Record

Complete record of CASMGS Outreach activities

Register for 2007 CASMGS Fall Forum

The 2007 CASMGS Fall Forum will be held Dec. 17-18 in Manhattan, Kansas. The title of the Forum is Agriculture's Role in the New Carbon Economy.

CASMGS Prospectus

A basic overview of the structure and purpose of CASMGS.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 4: Biofuels, Carbon, and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

CASMGS Fact Sheet on the role of biofuels in the mitigation of greenhouse gases.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 3: Trace Gases in Agriculture and Climate Change

CASMGS Fact Sheet on the role of agriculture in other greenhouse gases: methane and nitrous oxide.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 2: Measuring and Monitoring Carbon

CASMGS Fact Sheet on the ability of scientists to measure and monitor soil carbon.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 1: Charismatic Carbon

CASMGS one-page fact sheet on the value of carbon sequestered in the soil.

Before Selling Carbon Credits, Read This

Researchers at Montana and Colorado State Universities now have evidence that a soil model can be used to accurately estimate carbon levels in soil under certain climate and land conditions.

Farmers, Foresters, Investors To Receive First Major

The first "how-to" manual for farmers and foresters interested in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions is about to hit bookshelves.

New Guide to GHG Offsets

The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and Environmental Defense have released a new guide to carbon offsets, "Harnessing Forests and Farms in the Low Carbon Economy: How to Create and Verify Greenhouse Gas Offsets." Sample chapter.

Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference

Presentations and attendee list for the Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference, held Feb. 6-8, 2007, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Greenhouse gas group airs plan

The goal is simple - to cut Maine's overall greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the state's impact on global warming.

Scientists seek data on greenhouse gas emissions

Government and university scientists will be hanging out at the track this summer – only there aren’t any horses and the track is located 30,000 feet above sea level.

Bush administration seems more interested in climate change, Anderson says

A U.S.-led global initiative to collect data about the Earth suggests American officials are becoming more serious about climate change, Environment Minister David Anderson said Thursday.

Climate Change and Federal Policy: A response to inaction on global warming

Joe Lieberman and John McCain address global climate change and the U.S. federal policy towards this issue in the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Nebraska Carbon Study

Quantifying the change in greenhouse gas emissions due to natural resource conservation practice application in Nebraska. A collaborative effort between CSU-NREL, the State of Nebraska, USDA NRCS and the US DOE

The Indiana Carbon Storage Project

Quantifying the Change in Greenhouse Gas Emissions due to Natural Resource Conservation Practice Application in Indiana. A collaborative effort between USDA NRCS and CSU - NREL.

The Iowa Carbon Storage Project

Quantifying the change in greenhouse gas emissions due to natural resource conservation practice application in Iowa. A collaborative effort between USDA NRCS and CSU NREL.

A brief explanation of the many environmental benefits of soil carbon.

Before Selling Carbon Credits, Read This

Researchers at Montana and Colorado State Universities now have evidence that a soil model can be used to accurately estimate carbon levels in soil under certain climate and land conditions.

New Guide to GHG Offsets from Nicholas Institute and Environmental Defense

The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and Environmental Defense have released a new guide to carbon offsets, "Harnessing Forests and Farms in the Low Carbon Economy: How to Create and Verify Greenhouse Gas Offsets." Sample chapter.

Farmers, Foresters, Investors To Receive First Major

The first "how-to" manual for farmers and foresters interested in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions is about to hit bookshelves.

Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference

Presentations and participant list for Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference, held Feb. 6-8, 2007, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Global Warming Causes Soil To Release Carbon, Study Says

Global warming is causing soil to release huge amounts of carbon, making efforts to fight global warming tougher than previously thought, scientists said on Wednesday.

U.S. Senate Panel Begins Work on Greenhouse Gas Cuts

A senior Senate Republican said Thursday he will pursue legislation that may eventually require U.S. industry to cut gases linked to global warming, a view sharply at odds with the White House and many other Republicans.

Scientist Testifies on Global Warming

Global warming is caused primarily by humans and "nearly all climate scientists today" agree with that viewpoint, the new head of the National Academy of Sciences -- a climate scientist himself -- said Wednesday.

Range That’s a Home to Forage Research

Capped by a large, open sky, northwestern Oklahoma’s vast, rolling grasslands create a visually overwhelming lands cape—one that calls people to stop and try to soak it all in.

Researchers unlocking switchgrass secrets

"Switchgrass could have a lot to do with carbon sequestration storage potential and for overall improvement of soil quality as well," says Liebig, a soil scientist USDA's Agricultural Research Service laboratory in Mandan.

Farmers to receive cash to fight global warming

After eight years of negotiations, the federal government has signed a $1-million agreement that will pay farmers to keep carbon dioxide in their land by not tilling.

Register for 2007 CASMGS Fall Forum

The 2007 CASMGS Fall Forum will be held Dec. 17-18 in Manhattan, Kansas. The title of the Forum is Agriculture's Role in the New Carbon Economy.

Before Selling Carbon Credits, Read This

Researchers at Montana and Colorado State Universities now have evidence that a soil model can be used to accurately estimate carbon levels in soil under certain climate and land conditions.

New Guide to GHG Offsets from Nicholas Institute and Environmental Defense

The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and Environmental Defense have released a new guide to carbon offsets, "Harnessing Forests and Farms in the Low Carbon Economy: How to Create and Verify Greenhouse Gas Offsets." Sample chapter.

Farmers, Foresters, Investors To Receive First Major

The first "how-to" manual for farmers and foresters interested in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions is about to hit bookshelves.

New Guide to GHG Offsets

The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and Environmental Defense have released a new guide to carbon offsets, "Harnessing Forests and Farms in the Low Carbon Economy: How to Create and Verify Greenhouse Gas Offsets." Sample chapter.

Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference

Presentations and participant list for Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference, held Feb. 6-8, 2007, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference

Presentations and attendee list for the Fourth USDA Greenhouse Gas Conference, held Feb. 6-8, 2007, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Range That’s a Home to Forage Research

Capped by a large, open sky, northwestern Oklahoma’s vast, rolling grasslands create a visually overwhelming lands cape—one that calls people to stop and try to soak it all in.

Researchers unlocking switchgrass secrets

"Switchgrass could have a lot to do with carbon sequestration storage potential and for overall improvement of soil quality as well," says Liebig, a soil scientist USDA's Agricultural Research Service laboratory in Mandan.

Farmers to receive cash to fight global warming

After eight years of negotiations, the federal government has signed a $1-million agreement that will pay farmers to keep carbon dioxide in their land by not tilling.

Global warming will impact nitrogen use

A two-year study by the Agricultural Research Service found that wheat grown under elevated levels of carbon dioxide over the next half century will need slightly more nitrogen to grow, but not as much as previously predicted.

Before Selling Carbon Credits, Read This

Researchers at Montana and Colorado State Universities now have evidence that a soil model can be used to accurately estimate carbon levels in soil under certain climate and land conditions.

Farmers, Foresters, Investors To Receive First Major

The first "how-to" manual for farmers and foresters interested in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions is about to hit bookshelves.

Global Warming Causes Soil To Release Carbon, Study Says

Global warming is causing soil to release huge amounts of carbon, making efforts to fight global warming tougher than previously thought, scientists said on Wednesday.

Climate Change Pilot Launches Final Auction, Opens Competitive Bidding on $5 Million

The Government of Canada today called for new proposals in the final round of the Pilot Emission Removals, Reductions and Learnings (PERRL) Initiative.

Potential for enhanced sequestration of carbon in soils supports evaluations

Increasing the uptake of carbon dioxide by soils is a promising way to mitigate greenhouse warming: thorough economic evaluations are called for.

Greenhouse Gas Jump Spurs Global Warming Fears

An unexplained jump in greenhouse gases since 2002 might herald a catastrophic acceleration of global warming if it becomes a trend, scientists said on Monday.

After the burn: mitigating global climate change through alternative land uses

Tropical deforestation contributes up to 25 per cent of net annual CO2emissions, and a high proportion of this comes from burning the cleared biomass before cultivation.

New SAP xApp Emissions Management Software Release

SAP is releasing a software application, xApp Emissions Management, as a tool to support emissions compliance.

Reproducing Long-Term Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics with the EPIC Model

This work tests the EPIC model against soil carbon trend and crop production data from a long-term experiment from Arlington, WI.

CASMGS subtask 4.1

Estimating Stocks of Soil Organic Carbon at Multiple Scales: Recommendations

US, NZ deepen cooperation on climate change

Six new projects were announced in Washington under the New Zealand - United States bilateral climate change partnership.

CASMGS Outreach Record

Complete record of CASMGS Outreach activities

New CASMGS Outreach Record

Newly updated, as of May 15, 2008, list of CASMGS Outreach activities.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 1: Charismatic Carbon

A brief explanation of the many environmental benefits of soil carbon.

CASMGS Prospectus

A basic overview of the structure and purpose of CASMGS.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 4: Biofuels, Carbon, and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

CASMGS Fact Sheet on the role of biofuels in the mitigation of greenhouse gases.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 3: Trace Gases in Agriculture and Climate Change

CASMGS Fact Sheet on the role of agriculture in other greenhouse gases: methane and nitrous oxide.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 2: Measuring and Monitoring Carbon

CASMGS Fact Sheet on the ability of scientists to measure and monitor soil carbon.

CASMGS Fact Sheet No. 1: Charismatic Carbon

CASMGS one-page fact sheet on the value of carbon sequestered in the soil.

Before Selling Carbon Credits, Read This

Researchers at Montana and Colorado State Universities now have evidence that a soil model can be used to accurately estimate carbon levels in soil under certain climate and land conditions.

Farmers, Foresters, Investors To Receive First Major

The first "how-to" manual for farmers and foresters interested in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions is about to hit bookshelves.

Scientist Testifies on Global Warming

Global warming is caused primarily by humans and "nearly all climate scientists today" agree with that viewpoint, the new head of the National Academy of Sciences -- a climate scientist himself -- said Wednesday.

Before Selling Carbon Credits, Read This

Researchers at Montana and Colorado State Universities now have evidence that a soil model can be used to accurately estimate carbon levels in soil under certain climate and land conditions.

Farmers, Foresters, Investors To Receive First Major

The first "how-to" manual for farmers and foresters interested in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions is about to hit bookshelves.

U.S. Senate Panel Begins Work on Greenhouse Gas Cuts

A senior Senate Republican said Thursday he will pursue legislation that may eventually require U.S. industry to cut gases linked to global warming, a view sharply at odds with the White House and many other Republicans.

Climate Change Pilot Launches Final Auction, Opens Competitive Bidding on $5 Million

The Government of Canada today called for new proposals in the final round of the Pilot Emission Removals, Reductions and Learnings (PERRL) Initiative.

New Jersey prepares for CO2 cap

In New Jersey, a state proposal to classify carbon dioxide as an air pollutant earned praise from a range of environmental organizations at a state hearing yesterday, while provoking objections from one business group.

Colorado votes for mandatory renewable target

Voters in Colorado, US this week approved a bill that sets mandatory renewable targets for large utilities.

US power companies expect CO2 restrictions

A US environmental survey of electric generating companies conducted by PA Consulting Group shows that nearly 60 per cent of the respondents believe that Congress will enact mandatory limits on carbon dioxide emissions within the next ten years.

Kodak joins California climate registry

Eastman Kodak Company and the California Climate Action Registry today announced that Kodak has joined a key group of environmental leaders as a member of the California Climate Action Registry.