Organic carbon in the silt + clay fraction of Tasmanian soils

Sparrow, LA; Belbin, K. C.; Doyle, RB

doi:10.1111/j.1475-2743.2006.00021.x

Cited by 22 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In contrast, studies in temperate regions of Canada, China, France, and Germany reported a much lower OC saturation level ranging from 40 to 70% for cropland and pasture soils (Carter et al ., ; Zhao et al ., ; Angers et al ., ; Wiesmeier et al ., ). Only agricultural soils of Tasmania were also close to the potential OC saturation which was related to the cool‐temperate climate and resulting high OC input (Sparrow et al ., ). The finding of a high OC saturation level in strongly degraded steppe soils was unexpected, as a generally high OC sequestration potential was assumed due to massive SOC losses in naturally OC‐rich steppe soils of northern China as a result of intensive cultivation and heavy grazing (Lal, , ; Yu et al ., ; Yan et al ., ; Zhou et al ., ; Li et al ., ; Wiesmeier et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Carbon storage capacity of semi‐arid grassland soils and sequestration potentials in northern China

Wiesmeier

Munro

Barthold

et al. 2015

Global Change Biology

106

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Organic carbon (OC) sequestration in degraded semi-arid environments by improved soil management is assumed to contribute substantially to climate change mitigation. However, information about the soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration potential in steppe soils and their current saturation status remains unknown. In this study, we estimated the OC storage capacity of semi-arid grassland soils on the basis of remote, natural steppe fragments in northern China. Based on the maximum OC saturation of silt and clay particles <20 μm, OC sequestration potentials of degraded steppe soils (grazing land, arable land, eroded areas) were estimated. The analysis of natural grassland soils revealed a strong linear regression between the proportion of the fine fraction and its OC content, confirming the importance of silt and clay particles for OC stabilization in steppe soils. This relationship was similar to derived regressions in temperate and tropical soils but on a lower level, probably due to a lower C input and different clay mineralogy. In relation to the estimated OC storage capacity, degraded steppe soils showed a high OC saturation of 78-85% despite massive SOC losses due to unsustainable land use. As a result, the potential of degraded grassland soils to sequester additional OC was generally low. This can be related to a relatively high contribution of labile SOC, which is preferentially lost in the course of soil degradation. Moreover, wind erosion leads to substantial loss of silt and clay particles and consequently results in a direct loss of the ability to stabilize additional OC. Our findings indicate that the SOC loss in semi-arid environments induced by intensive land use is largely irreversible. Observed SOC increases after improved land management mainly result in an accumulation of labile SOC prone to land use/climate changes and therefore cannot be regarded as contribution to long-term OC sequestration.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Carbon storage capacity of semi‐arid grassland soils and sequestration potentials in northern China

Wiesmeier

Munro

Barthold

et al. 2015

Global Change Biology

106

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“…In cropland soils of Australia, a lower C saturation of around 35% was determined, which was related to low precipitation and high temperatures (Hassink, 1997;Chan, 2001). In contrast, agricultural soils in Tasmania under a cool, temperate climate were close to or even exceeded the potential C saturation (Sparrow et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The difference between the potential C saturation of the fine fraction and the actual measured C content of this fraction corresponds to the C saturation deficit or, in other words, the C sequestration potential. Hassink's approach was used in several experimental studies to estimate the degree of C saturation in cultivated soils (Chan, ; Six et al ., ; Carter et al ., ; Conant et al ., ; Sparrow et al ., ; Zhao et al ., ). However, these studies included only a limited number of investigated locations, thus the results are not suitable to derive comprehensive conclusions for larger (landscape) scales.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon sequestration potential of soils in southeast Germany derived from stable soil organic carbon saturation

Wiesmeier

Hübner

Spörlein

et al. 2013

Global Change Biology

197

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Sequestration of atmospheric carbon (C) in soils through improved management of forest and agricultural land is considered to have high potential for global CO2 mitigation. However, the potential of soils to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) in a stable form, which is limited by the stabilization of SOC against microbial mineralization, is largely unknown. In this study, we estimated the C sequestration potential of soils in southeast Germany by calculating the potential SOC saturation of silt and clay particles according to Hassink [Plant and Soil 191 (1997) 77] on the basis of 516 soil profiles. The determination of the current SOC content of silt and clay fractions for major soil units and land uses allowed an estimation of the C saturation deficit corresponding to the long-term C sequestration potential. The results showed that cropland soils have a low level of C saturation of around 50% and could store considerable amounts of additional SOC. A relatively high C sequestration potential was also determined for grassland soils. In contrast, forest soils had a low C sequestration potential as they were almost C saturated. A high proportion of sites with a high degree of apparent oversaturation revealed that in acidic, coarse-textured soils the relation to silt and clay is not suitable to estimate the stable C saturation. A strong correlation of the C saturation deficit with temperature and precipitation allowed a spatial estimation of the C sequestration potential for Bavaria. In total, about 395 Mt CO2 -equivalents could theoretically be stored in A horizons of cultivated soils - four times the annual emission of greenhouse gases in Bavaria. Although achieving the entire estimated C storage capacity is unrealistic, improved management of cultivated land could contribute significantly to CO2 mitigation. Moreover, increasing SOC stocks have additional benefits with respect to enhanced soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

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“…Fluvially-dominated sites are found to have finer sediment sizes relative to marine-dominated sites [ 5 ]. Decreased grain size in sediments causes the sediment organic carbon to increase [ 5 , 43 ], owing to clay particles binding carbon molecules and reducing microbial breakdown [ 44 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sediment Carbon Accumulation in Southern Latitude Saltmarsh Communities of Tasmania, Australia

Ellison

Beasy

2018

Biology

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Carbon sequestration values of wetlands are greatest in their sediments. Northern hemisphere research dominates the earlier saltmarsh carbon sequestration literature, recently augmented by analyses across mainland Australia where species assemblages, catchment histories and environmental settings differ. No previous assessment has been made for Tasmania. Carbon stores and accumulation rates in saltmarsh sediments of the Rubicon estuary, Tasmania, were investigated. Carbon was determined from sediment cores by Elemental Analyser, combined with analysis of organic content and bulk density. Carbon accumulation was determined using short-term and long-term sediment accretion indicators. Results showed carbon densities to be lower than global averages, with variation found between carbon stores of native and introduced species zones. Cores from introduced Spartina anglica indicated a trend of higher sediment carbon percentages relative to cores from native saltmarsh Juncus kraussii and Sarcocornia quinqueflora, and in finer grain sizes. Sediment carbon stock of 30 cm depths was 49.5 Mg C ha−1 for native saltmarsh and 55.5 Mg C ha−1 for Spartina. Carbon percentages were low owing to high catchment inorganic sediment yields, however carbon accumulation rates were similar to global averages, particularly under Spartina. Covering 85% of saltmarsh area in the estuary, Spartina contributes the majority to carbon stores, potentially indicating a previously unrecognized value for this invasive species in Australia.

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Organic carbon in the silt + clay fraction of Tasmanian soils

Cited by 22 publications

References 9 publications

Carbon storage capacity of semi‐arid grassland soils and sequestration potentials in northern China

Carbon storage capacity of semi‐arid grassland soils and sequestration potentials in northern China

Carbon sequestration potential of soils in southeast Germany derived from stable soil organic carbon saturation

Sediment Carbon Accumulation in Southern Latitude Saltmarsh Communities of Tasmania, Australia

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