Consolidating Regionalized Global Characterization Factors for Soil Organic Carbon Depletion Due to Land Occupation and Transformation

Abstract

Land occupation and transformation change soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, which are a priority indicator for biotic production potential (BPP) in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). SOC is a potential umbrella indicator for land use-related impacts, but global LCIA characterization models have never been sufficiently regionalized. Regeneration times required for the calculation of transformation impacts are unknown and can only be estimated through expert judgment or using additional assumptions. In this paper, we calculate global midpoint characterization factors (CF) for SOC depletion following land use and land use change using data from the European Soil Data Center with a resolution of 30 arc second. We used three possible calculation procedures to determine regeneration times: (1) estimations based on literature; (2) equal regeneration duration for all land uses; (3) equal regeneration rates for all land uses. We then propose an innovative approach for LCIA that combines all CFs in this paper as well as prior models using a spatial consolidation approach to arrive at a single set of CFs. We show that this procedure combines the strengths of each individual model and dilutes their shortcomings, and recommend the use of these consolidated CFs rather than individual sets of factors. For endpoints, we applied a nutrient replacement method using fertilizer input to compensate for organic matter depletion and obtained monetary CFs for SOC-related damages caused by land use on BPP.

Carbon Footprint of Milk from Pasture-Based Dairy Farms in Azores, Portugal

“…For agri-food products, impact indicators related with land use are especially relevant [78]. Several regionalized impact models are now available and widely recommended for biodiversity [79,80], biotic production potential [81,82] and other ecosystem services [83]. Freshwater eutrophication should be a priority as well, as fertilizer application is crucial in theses pastures and nitrogen leaching is a pressing environmental issue in Azores, negatively affecting water quality [84,85].…”

The Effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Ecological Intensification of Meat Production with Rainfed Sown Biodiverse Pastures

“…Besides placing more emphasis on the regionalization of the inventories and activity data, these additional impact categories should also be assessed using regionalized life cycle impact assessment methods [31]. There are now multiple highly regionalized methods available, mainly focusing on land use [61,62] and biodiversity impacts [63,64].…”

A Practical Comparison of Regionalized Land Use and Biodiversity Life Cycle Impact Assessment Models Using Livestock Production as a Case Study

“…Then, we selected models based on the following criteria: (a) only models that provide the CFs freely were considered, e.g., in reports or supporting information of papers; and (b) models were excluded if they did not provide CFs applicable at global or at least large regional scales (e.g., European Union). We ended up with: (a) three ecosystem services models, namely, Saad et al [21], Müller-Wenk and Brandão [33] and LANCA v2.3 [22]; (b) six land use models, namely Brandão and Milà i Canals [15], Alvarenga et al [16,17], Taelman et al [18], Morais et al [19] and Teixeira et al [20]; and (c) three biodiversity models, namely de Baan et al [23], Chaudhary et al [24] and Chaudhary and Brooks [25]. These models are briefly described next.…”

“…Teixeira et al [20] extends the work on SOC-based CFs, using a global SOC database and several different assumptions to deal with the estimation of SOC regeneration after transformation and the general model of Koellner et al [40]. They also proposed the first consolidation approach for land use SOC-based models (Milà i Canals [37], Brandão and Milà i Canals [15] and Morais et al [19]).…”

“…The problem is how to address the disparities in methodologies and types of indicators used. To reference some important models that provide CFs to practitioners, thus highlighting the recent proliferation of models, Brandão and Milà i Canals [15], Alvarenga et al [16,17], Taelman et al [18], Morais et al [19] and Teixeira et al [20] all present characterization models depicting impacts from land use on biotic production (BPP). Other models, such as Saad et al [21] and LANd use indicator value Calculation (LANCA) [22], cover related impact pathways for other types of ecosystem damage and services (including biotic production), such as erosion resistance, water purification and climatic regulation.…”