Carbon Preservation and Sequestration in Agricultural Soils

master's thesis

• Title (english): Očuvanje i sekvestracija ugljika u poljoprivrednim tlima
• Author: Lara Ivić
• Mentor: Ivica Kisić (mentor)
• Committee member: Ivica Kisić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Aleksandra Bensa (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Aleksandra Perčin (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Agriculture; (Department of General Agronomy); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2022-11-23, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Agronomy

Abstract

Carbon sequestration is a process of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide in the soil,
reducing its concentration in the atmosphere. Therefore, agricultural methods for improving
soil organic carbon can help mitigate climate change. Converting natural forests into
croplands, monoculture farming, and tillage are causing the disruption of soil quality and
reducing its ability to store carbon. Carbon sequestration depends on the turnover time of soil
organic matter and physical and chemical protection against microorganisms. Organic carbon
in soils is stabilized through the mechanisms of physical protection, chemical, and biochemical
stabilization. Agroforestry offers great potential for carbon sequestration, as trees enable
carbon stabilization in deeper layers of the soil. Conservational agricultural practices which
can rebuild soil organic carbon include reduced tillage, no-till, cover crops, crop rotations,
rotational grazing and perennial cropping systems.

Abstract (croatian)

Sekvestracija ugljika je proces koji se odnosi na prenošenje atmosferskog ugljičnog dioksida u
tlo, smanjujući njegovu koncentraciju u atmosferi. Poljoprivredne metode koje povećavaju
količine organskog ugljika u tlu mogu pomoći u ublažavanju klimatskih promjena. Pretvaranje
prirodnih šuma u oranice, monokulturna poljoprivreda i obrada tla uzrokuju poremećaj
kvalitete tla i smanjuju njegovu sposobnost skladištenja ugljika. Sekvestracija ugljika ovisi o
vremenu razgradnje organske tvari tla te fizikalnoj i kemijskoj zaštiti od mikroorganizama.
Organski ugljik u tlu stabilizira se mehanizmima fizičke zaštite, kemijske i biokemijske
stabilizacije. Agrošumarstvo nudi veliki potencijal za sekvestraciju ugljika jer drveće
omogućuje njegovu stabilizaciju u dubljim slojevima tla. Konzervacijske poljoprivredne prakse
koje obnavljaju organski ugljik u tlu uključuju smanjenu obradu tla, no-till (gospodarenje bez
obrade), pokrovne usjeve, plodorede, rotacijsku ispašu i sustave višegodišnjih usjeva.

• Keywords: Carbon sequestration; climate change; carbon stabilization; agroforestry
• Keywords (english): Sekvestracija ugljika; klimatske promjene; stabilizacija ugljika; agrošumarstvo
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:204:399595
• Study programme: Title: Agroecology; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/ magistra inženjer/inženjerka agroekologije (magistar/ magistra inženjer/inženjerka agroekologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Embargoed access; Embargo expiration date: 2023-12-16
• Created on: 2022-12-16 13:05:22