scholarly journals Rainforest-to-pasture conversion stimulates soil methanogenesis across the Brazilian Amazon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie E. Kroeger ◽  
Laura K. Meredith ◽  
Kyle M. Meyer ◽  
Kevin D. Webster ◽  
Plinio Barbosa de Camargo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Stable Isotope Probing ◽  
Methane Cycling ◽  
Agricultural Conversion ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Pasture Conversion

Abstract The Amazon rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot and large terrestrial carbon sink threatened by agricultural conversion. Rainforest-to-pasture conversion stimulates the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The biotic methane cycle is driven by microorganisms; therefore, this study focused on active methane-cycling microorganisms and their functions across land-use types. We collected intact soil cores from three land use types (primary rainforest, pasture, and secondary rainforest) of two geographically distinct areas of the Brazilian Amazon (Santarém, Pará and Ariquemes, Rondônia) and performed DNA stable-isotope probing coupled with metagenomics to identify the active methanotrophs and methanogens. At both locations, we observed a significant change in the composition of the isotope-labeled methane-cycling microbial community across land use types, specifically an increase in the abundance and diversity of active methanogens in pastures. We conclude that a significant increase in the abundance and activity of methanogens in pasture soils could drive increased soil methane emissions. Furthermore, we found that secondary rainforests had decreased methanogenic activity similar to primary rainforests, and thus a potential to recover as methane sinks, making it conceivable for forest restoration to offset greenhouse gas emissions in the tropics. These findings are critical for informing land management practices and global tropical rainforest conservation.

scholarly journals Rainforest-to-pasture conversion stimulates soil methanogenesis across the Brazilian Amazon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie E. Kroeger ◽  
Laura K. Meredith ◽  
Kyle M. Meyer ◽  
Kevin D. Webster ◽  
Plinio Barbosa de Camargo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Stable Isotope Probing ◽  
Methane Cycling ◽  
Agricultural Conversion ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Pasture Conversion

ABSTRACTThe Amazon rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot and large terrestrial carbon sink that is threatened by agricultural conversion. Rainforest-to-pasture conversion leads to the release of a potent greenhouse gas by converting soil from a methane sink into a source. The biotic methane cycle is driven by microorganisms; therefore, this study focused on active methane-cycling microorganisms and their functions across land-use types. We collected intact soil cores from three land use types (primary rainforest, pasture, and secondary rainforest) of two geographically distinct areas of the Brazilian Amazon (Santarém, Pará and Ariquemes, Rondônia) and performed DNA stable-isotope probing coupled with metagenomics to identify the active methanotrophs and methanogens. At both locations, we observed a significant change in the composition of the isotope-labeled methane-cycling microbial community across land use types, specifically an increase in the abundance and diversity of active methanogens in pastures. We conclude that a significant increase in the abundance and activity of methanogens in pasture soils could explain the greater methane flux. Furthermore, we found that secondary rainforests recovered as methane sinks, indicating the potential for reforestation to offset greenhouse gas emissions in the tropics. These findings are critical for informing land management practices and global tropical rainforest conservation.

scholarly journals Prospects for land-use sustainability on the agricultural frontier of the Brazilian Amazon

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1619) ◽  
pp. 20120171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian L. Galford ◽  
Britaldo Soares-Filho ◽  
Carlos E. P. Cerri
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
State Government ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

The Brazilian Amazon frontier shows how remarkable leadership can work towards increased agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability without new greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to initiatives among various stakeholders, including national and state government and agents, farmers, consumers, funding agencies and non-governmental organizations. Change has come both from bottom-up and top-down actions of these stakeholders, providing leadership, financing and monitoring to foster environmental sustainability and agricultural growth. Goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land-cover and land-use change in Brazil are being achieved through a multi-tiered approach that includes policies to reduce deforestation and initiatives for forest restoration, as well as increased and diversified agricultural production, intensified ranching and innovations in agricultural management. Here, we address opportunities for the Brazilian Amazon in working towards low-carbon rural development and environmentally sustainable landscapes.

Modelling fire probability in the Brazilian Amazon using the maximum entropy method

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa G. Fonseca ◽  
Luiz Eduardo O. C. Aragão ◽  
André Lima ◽  
Yosio E. Shimabukuro ◽  
Egidio Arai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Maximum Entropy ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Maximum Entropy Method ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Entropy Method ◽  
Monthly Basis

Fires are both a cause and consequence of important changes in the Amazon region. The development and implementation of better fire management practices and firefighting strategies are important steps to reduce the Amazon ecosystems’ degradation and carbon emissions from land-use change in the region. We extended the application of the maximum entropy method (MaxEnt) to model fire occurrence probability in the Brazilian Amazon on a monthly basis during the 2008 and 2010 fire seasons using fire detection data derived from satellite images. Predictor variables included climatic variables, inhabited and uninhabited protected areas and land-use change maps. Model fit was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) value (threshold-independent analysis), binomial tests and model sensitivity and specificity (threshold-dependent analysis). Both threshold-independent (AUC = 0.919 ± 0.004) and threshold-dependent evaluation indicate satisfactory model performance. Pasture, annual deforestation and secondary vegetation are the most effective variables for predicting the distribution of the occurrence data. Our results show that MaxEnt may become an important tool to guide on-the-ground decisions on fire prevention actions and firefighting planning more effectively and thus to minimise forest degradation and carbon loss from forest fires in Amazonian ecosystems.

scholarly journals Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions under Different Land-Use Types in Savanna Ecosystems of Kenya

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Wachiye ◽  
Lutz Merbold ◽  
Timo Vesala ◽  
Janne Rinne ◽  
Matti Räsänen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
P Value ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Abstract. For effective climate change mitigation strategies, adequate data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a wide range of land-use and land cover types area prerequisite. However, GHG field measurement data are still scarce for many land-use types in Africa, causing a high uncertainty in GHG budgets. To address this knowledge gap, we present in situ measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) emissions in the lowland part of southern Kenya. We conducted chamber measurements on gas exchange from four dominant land-use types (LUTs) and included (1) cropland, (2) grazed savanna, (3) bushland, and (4) conservation land. Between 29 November 2017 to 3 November 2018, eight measurement campaigns were conducted accounting for regional seasonality (including wet and dry seasons and transitions periods) in each LUT. Mean CO2 emissions for the whole observation period were significantly higher (p-value 

scholarly journals On Spatial Management Practices: Revisiting the "Optimal" Use of Urban Land

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Ogryzek ◽  
Radoslaw Wisniewski ◽  
Tom Kauko
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Urban Land ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Characteristic Matrix ◽  
Land Use Type ◽  
Spatial Analyses ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Spatial Management

Abstract The article takes a fresh look at the concept of the "optimal" use of urban land. It discusses the procedure for choosing the "optimal" use of land within the context of rational spatial management practices and sets out a model solution for determining "optimal" land use types for given spatial and functional situations. A necessary set of geoinformation for informed decisions on choosing the "optimal" land use type is proposed. The study adds to the available knowledge concerning spatial analyses and simulations of "optimal" zoning processes; in doing so it applies the characteristic matrix method for inducing the optimal use of an area to diagnose the value of urban space and, in this way, to determine the "optimal" use under given circumstances. The article concludes by stating that the algorithm for selecting the "optimal” land use of an area significantly improves the decision-making process when carrying out the transformation of land use - the most important instrument for planning optimisation and organisation.

scholarly journals Soil quality evaluation under different land use types in Kersa sub-watershed, eastern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yared Mulat ◽  
Kibebew Kibret ◽  
Bobe Bedadi ◽  
Muktar Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Soil quality, which can be inferred using indicators that interact synergistically, is affected by land use types and agricultural management practices. This study assessed the status of soil quality under three adjacent land uses (cultivated, grazing, and fallow) in Kersa subwatershed (622 ha). Soil samples were collected from the surface soil (0–20 cm depth) of the identified land uses with three replications and the soil quality parameters were analyzed. A minimum data set of soil quality indicators were selected from physical, chemical, and biological parameters using the literature review and expert opinion method. Linear scoring functions were used to give the unitless scores for the selected data sets, which were then integrated into a soil quality index (SQI). Results The results revealed that bulk density, aggregate stability, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), available P, and soil organic carbon (SOC) had a significant difference in SQI among the different land uses. The soil quality indices were 0.69 for grazing land, 0.62 for cultivated land, and 0.59 for the fallow land. The SQI of all the land uses falls in the intermediate soil quality (0.55 < SQI < 0.70) class. Conclusion In almost all the quality indicators assessed, the grazing land was superior to the cultivated and fallow lands. Therefore, implementing management practices that enhance soil quality like organic matter-controlled systems is imperative for sustainable agricultural production in the study area.

scholarly journals Soil Quality Evaluation Under Different Land Use Types in Kersa Sub-watershed, Eastern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yared Mulat Tefera ◽  
kibebew Kibret Tehaye ◽  
Bobe Bobe Bedadi ◽  
Muktar Mohammed Kedir
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Soil quality, which can be inferred using indicators that interact synergistically, is affected by land use types and agricultural management practices. This study assessed the status of soil quality under three adjacent land uses (cultivated, grazing, and fallow) in Kersa subwatershed (622 ha). Soil samples were collected from the surface soil (0-20 cm depth) of the identified land uses with three replications and the soil quality parameters were analyzed. A minimum data set of soil quality indicators were selected from physical, chemical, and biological parameters using the literature review and expert opinion method. Linear scoring functions were used to give the unitless scores for the selected data sets, which were then integrated into a soil quality index (SQI).Results: The results revealed that bulk density, aggregate stability, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), available P, and soil organic carbon (SOC) had a significant difference in SQI among the different land uses. The soil quality indices were 0.69 for grazing land, 0.62 for cultivated land, and 0.59 for the fallow land. The SQI of all the land uses falls in the intermediate soil quality (0.55 < SQI < 0.70) class.Conclusion: In almost all the quality indicators assessed, the grazing land was superior to the cultivated and fallow lands. Therefore, implementing management practices that enhance soil quality like organic matter-controlled systems is imperative for sustainable agricultural production in the study area.

scholarly journals Quantifying the effects of multiple land management practices, land cover change, and wildfire on the California landscape carbon budget with an empirical model

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251346
Author(s):  
Alan V. Di Vittorio ◽  
Maegen B. Simmonds ◽  
Peter Nico
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Carbon Accumulation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Data Uncertainty ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Intensive Forest Management

The effectiveness of land-based climate mitigation strategies is generally estimated on a case-by-case basis without considering interactions with other strategies or influencing factors. Here we evaluate a new, comprehensive approach that incorporates interactions among multiple management strategies, land use/cover change, wildfire, and climate, although the potential effects of climate change are not evaluated in this study. The California natural and working lands carbon and greenhouse gas model (CALAND) indicates that summing individual practice estimates of greenhouse gas impacts may underestimate emission reduction benefits in comparison with an integrated estimate. Annual per-area estimates of the potential impact of specific management practices on landscape emissions can vary based on the estimation period, which can be problematic for extrapolating such estimates over space and time. Furthermore, the actual area of implementation is a primary factor in determining potential impacts of management on landscape emissions. Nonetheless, less intensive forest management, avoided conversion to urban land, and urban forest expansion generally create the largest annual per-area reductions, while meadow restoration and forest fuel reduction and harvest practices generally create the largest increases with respect to no management. CALAND also shows that data uncertainty is too high to determine whether California land is a source or a sink of carbon emissions, but that estimating effects of management with respect to a baseline provides valid results. Important sources of this uncertainty are initial carbon density, net ecosystem carbon accumulation rates, and land use/cover change data. The appropriate choice of baseline is critical for generating valid results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document