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Published on: November 21, 2015
Maximizing tree carbon in croplands and grazing lands while sustaining yields
Starry Sprenkle-Hyppolite1, Bronson Griscom1, Vivian Griffey2
1Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA.
Integrating trees into agricultural lands can remove over 3.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, offering a significant natural climate solution. This approach enhances ecosystems without compromising crop yields, presenting a scalable strategy for climate change mitigation.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Climate Science
- Ecology
Background:
- Integrating trees in agricultural landscapes offers climate mitigation, improved soil fertility, biodiversity, and water quality.
- Previous estimates of carbon dioxide removal potential assumed moderate tree integration without yield reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the maximum tree cover in agricultural systems globally without reducing yields.
- To develop spatially explicit datasets for the CO2 removal potential of trees in agriculture.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Delphi expert elicitation to determine maximum tree cover for 53 regional agricultural systems.
- Applied spatially explicit tree carbon accumulation rates to baseline and maximum tree cover estimates.
Main Results:
- Global maximum technical CO2 removal potential is 1.86 PgCO2 yr-1 from croplands and 1.45 PgCO2 yr-1 from grazing lands.
- Tropical/subtropical biomes hold significant potential, accounting for 54% of cropland and 73% of grazing land potential.
- Potential is influenced by opportunities for increased tree cover and bioclimatic factors affecting CO2 removal rates.
Conclusions:
- Increasing tree cover on 2.6 billion hectares of agricultural land could remove up to 3.3 billion tons of CO2 annually.
- These Natural Climate Solutions offer a large, inexpensive CO2 removal opportunity with low barriers to global scaling.
- Policy and incentive systems are urgently needed to promote the adoption of these agricultural practices.
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