A conversão de áreas nativas com o corte e queima de vegetação seguida do cultivo do solo resultam em mudanças na dinâmica da matéria orgânica do solo, com alterações nas emissões dos gases causadores de efeito estufa (GEE: CO

This paper shows the geographic distribution in Germany of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) analyzed in mosses in 1995/96 and compares it with the results of the 1990/91 pilot study within a European moss-monitoring programme. Other elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ti, V, Zn) are compared on basis of the overall element medians for Germany of the 1990/91 and 1995/96 survey. Samples of Pleurozium schreberi, Scleropodium purum, Hypnum cupressiforme and Hylocomium splendens were taken at a total of 1026 sites. In the 1995/96 monitoring campaign, 95% of the original sites of the 1990/91 study were resampled. The results from 1995/96 display local elevated values and many cases of areas affected by known sources of heavy-metal emissions. The industrialized and urban regions of Germany are shown up clearly by the 1995/96 moss-monitoring results: the Ruhr area, parts of Saarland and Baden-Württemberg, as well as areas in eastern Germany. Relatively low values for many elements were found in large areas of Lower Saxony and Bavaria. A comparison of the results of the 1990/91 and 1995/96 moss-monitoring programmes shows a fall in the concentration of the presented elements (except cadmium, copper and zinc) over the relevant period. Especially in the former GDR, chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti) and vanadium (V) decreased significantly. This is, firstly, a reflection of the closure of and/or technological improvements to large power plants; secondly it is due to the fact that lignite has given way to other fuels. Vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni), typical constituents of crude oil, also show a decrease in the western part and thus document changes in the type of fuel consumed. The significant fall in lead concentration in 1995/96 as compared to 1990/91 in what used to be East and West Germany probably results from the increasing use of lead-free petrol. A comparison of the median values for 1990/91 and 1995/96 in mosses to the rate of emission of heavy metals in Germany for 1990 and 1995 shows similar trends in the case of elements such as arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). The comparison of the medians of the elements analyzed for 19 European countries indicates for most of the elements a general tendency to lower values in 1995, except for Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Italy and United Kingdom.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) or Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO or Biovision in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO or Biovisioin.

Agriculture, and the patterns of land use change that are associated with it, have a high environmental footprint and contribute to climate change, as the sector accounts for about one-quarter of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. However, improved land management practices can play an important role in mitigating GHG emissions by removing substantial volumes of carbon from the atmosphere and sequestering them in soils and plant tissues. We can't fix what we do not measure, which is why quantifying greenhouse gas emissions is a necessary step for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land management. Greenhouse gas accounting can provide the numbers and data that are important to decision making in adopting less carbon-intensive practices, guiding low-emissions development, assessing product supply chains, certifying sustainable agriculture practices, and informing consumers on the carbon footprint of their choices. This Quick Guidance on Greenhouse Gas Accounting for Sustainable Land Management provides an overview of SLM activities subject to greenhouse gas appraisal, guidance in the selection of tools, data needs for the application and final use of the greenhouse gas accounting tools It complements the more comprehensive Carbon Accounting Tools for Sustainable Land Management report, and it is targeted at leading resource managers and project developers to proficiency in the independent use of greenhouse gas accounting tools.

The contributions of Xiaoyue Hou and Yu Huan (World Bank) to the e-learning module accompanying the report are also acknowledged.

Chevallier, T., Blanchart, E., Albrecht, A., Feller, C. and Bernoux, M. 2006. Impact of pasture establishment on CO 2 emissions from a Vertisol: Consequences for soil C sequestration (Martinique, West Indies). Can. J. Soil Sci. 86: 779-782. Establishing pasture on cultivated tropical Vertisols can increase soil organic carbon (SOC), but it is not known whether this increase results solely from enhanced inputs or also from suppressed mineralization. We measured CO 2 emissions from a Vertisol under market gardening, and under "young" and "old" Digitaria decumbens pastures. Emissions of CO 2 -C increased in pastures, compared to market gardening, but relative SOC mineralization (CO 2 -C/SOC) decreased, implying the protection of SOC against mineralization with pasture establishment.

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