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Given the escalating issue of global climate change, it is imperative to comprehend and quantify the effects of land use change on carbon storage (CS), which pertains not only to the preservation of ecosystem functions but also directly influences the equilibrium and stability of the global carbon cycle. This study examines the correlation between CS and land use change, forecasts the future spatial distribution of CS, and offers a reference for the rational planning of watershed space. Focusing on the Bosten Lake Basin of Xinjiang in China, employing the land use simulation (PLUS) model and the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs (InVEST) model to forecast the spatial distribution of carbon stocks across three developmental scenarios, while also examining the shift in the center of gravity of CS and the autocorrelation of their spatial distribution. The findings derived from the study are as follows: (1) From 1990 to 2020, the predominant land use type in the Bosten Lake Basin was grassland, while there was an upward trend in the areas of cropland, forest land, built-up land, and wetland, alongside a downward trend in the areas of grassland, water, and unused land. (2) In the long term, the regional CS exhibits an upward trend, with the most significant increase anticipated in the EPS scenario. Grassland constitutes the most extensive carbon reservoir in the Bosten Lake Basin, while wetlands exhibit the highest carbon sequestration potential. (3) The alteration in the center of gravity of CS is associated with the expansion or reduction of the major regional carbon reservoirs and types characterized by significant carbon sequestration potential. (4) In the long term, the spatial correlation of CS in the Bosten Lake Basin exhibits a consistent upward trend, with the most pronounced spatial correlation observed under EPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historic gardens contain a greater number and variety of ancient trees, which are older, have unique forms, and larger volumes. These trees hold significant value in both natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. However, current research on the carbon sequestration value of ancient and non-ancient trees in historical gardens is relatively lacking. Based on the unique morphology and carbon storage estimation needs of ancient trees in historic gardens, this paper proposes a morphology-based point cloud single-tree segmentation method. This method can precisely extract the morphological structures of various tree species and accurately estimate their carbon storage. From the perspective of carbon sequestration, it evaluates the correlation between the structural characteristics and carbon storage of trees in historic gardens, as well as the potential changes in their carbon storage capacity.Using the Jing Yi Park's Jian Xin Pavilions in Fragrant Hills Park as a case study, this method was applied to extract structural indicators of 116 ancient and non-ancient trees. The total carbon storage was found to be 19,171.13 kg, with an average carbon storage of 165.27 kg per tree. Among these, ancient trees accounted for 13,178.32 kg, or 68.74% of the total carbon storage. The study revealed that the correlation between tree age and carbon storage varied by species, and there were significant positive correlations between carbon storage and tree height, DBH, and canopy volume. Notably, there was a significant linear growth trend between DBH, canopy volume, and carbon storage. By 2030, the total carbon storage is projected to increase to 21,924.96 kg, with an annual average increase of 393.40 kg, representing a growth rate of 14.4%.The results indicate that studying the correlation between structural characteristics and carbon storage of aged trees in historical gardens can shed light on the important role of trees in sustainable carbon sequestration. The precise extraction of tree information through 3D digital technology and the prediction of carbon storage potential not only offer new perspectives for the conservation of cultural heritage in historical gardens, urban microclimate planning and design, and spatial management of carbon sinks and emissions but also have significant value for promoting the scientific management and protection of urban green spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally soil fauna consumes about half of the annual litter fall. An important question is how this activity affects the mineralization and stabilization of soil organic matter. Here we explore how much earthworms influence the decomposition of litter and the stabilization of organic matter in soils at various stages of soil development (various soil age) that are supplied with litter of various quality. The laboratory mesocosms consist of litter and a mineral layer. The mineral soils originated either from spruce and alder stands growing either on post-mining soils (young soils after about 50 years of soil development) or from soils in the close vicinity of post-mining sites (mature soils with several thousand years of soil development), the mineral soils were supplied by matching litter, the mesocosms were either without earthworms or with two individuals of earthworms. The earthworm effect showed statistically significant interaction with tree and soil age: earthworms increased respiration in both alder soils, but in spruce soils only in mature soil, while the opposite was true for young soils. In general, earthworms promoted the removal of litter from the soil surface and carbon accumulation in the mineral soil. Earthworms promoted C storage in mineral associated organic matter (MAOM), especially in young spruce soils. The results suggested that earthworm activity in young soils which were far from saturation (spruce on post-mining soils) promotes soil C sequestration by promoting C storage in MAOM, whereas earthworms in mature, C saturated soils tend to promote soil respiration. More broadly, earthworms effect on soil depends on stage of soil C saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lowering the adverse effects of climate change requires advanced methods to decrease atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide. Here, we review the use of carbonic anhydrase nanobiocatalysts for carbon dioxide sequestration, with emphasis on inorganic, organic, and polymeric nanomaterials. Inorganic nanomaterials include metal and metal oxide, carbon-based, and nonmetallic nanomaterials. Hybrid nanomaterials comprise metal–organic frameworks and nanoflowers. Factors influencing the properties of nanobiocatalysts such as interactions between carbonic anhydrase and the nanoscale support are presented. The immobilization of carbonic anhydrase onto nanomaterials overcomes the limitations associated with its free form, such as short shelf life, challenging separation, and poor reusability. We discuss the potential for large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The savanna-type xerophytic forests of Neltuma caldenia are located bordering the Argentine humid pampas and have an area of 3 million hectares. Currently, the main economic activity is cattle breeding. The contribution of the livestock sector to greenhouse gas emissions is a cause of international concern. Agroforestry is presented as an important carbon sequestration strategy. The objective of the following work was to address, through modeling and field data, a carbon balance based on forest cover for a silvopastoral system in native forest. To do this, the herbaceous stratum was measured in different forest covers, weighted by a livestock use factor and by the estimated emissions from cattle in the region. The evolution of forest stand parameters was modeled using growth data obtained from dendrometers distributed at different tree densities. The projected values of the forest flight show that from 2.4 m2 ha−1 of basal area (BA), the captures of eq-CO2 in the total tree biomass exceed the emissions of livestock. If the capture of C by the stem biomass is considered, the compensation point, using the maximum emission category (lactating cow), is reached when the forest has a capture rate of 0.67 Mg C ha−1 year−1, a stock of 38.86 Mg C ha−1 of total biomass and a density of 17.5 m2 ha−1 of BA. It is concluded that managing the N. caldenia forest with adequate silvicultural management would allow the production of "carbon neutral meat." The balance did not consider the capture of C on the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the impacts of land-use management on the specific ecosystem services (ESs) is very important in eco-fragile regions. This study simulates the combined effects of future land-use management on ESs typical in the Chinese Loess Plateau to examine the different ecological effects of a climate adaptation scenario versus two reference scenarios (agroforestry development and business-as-usual). We integrated spatially explicit land-use modeling and biophysical simulation methods to map ecosystem service provisioning for food production, carbon storage, water conservation, and soil conservation, supported by multiple data sources. Based on our results, the BAU and agroforestry development scenarios all show declining trends in service provision compared to the base period. Conversely, climate adaptation strategies can synergistically increase existing ecosystem service provision. We believe that land management oriented towards climate resilience strategies can promote ecological restoration and ESs supply synergically in the Loess Plateau region and benefit regional. At the same time, we recommend that further attention is paid to the differentiated ecological and environmental conditions of different sub-basins. Moreover, regional agroforestry complex system models could promote local agriculture development and increase of ESs supply. Our research methods and results can support the local integrated land-use management in the Loess Plateau region, and provide useful references of policy-making for land-use issue in similar ecologically fragile areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wood Harvesting and Storage (WHS) is a form of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) that utilizes a combined natural and engineered process to harvest woody biomass and put it into long term storage, most frequently in the form of subterranean burial. This paper aims to quantify the availability of woody biomass for the purposes of WHS in the continental United States using a carbon cycle modeling approach. Using a regional version of the VEGAS terrestrial carbon cycle model at 10 km resolution, this paper calculates the annual woody net primary production in the continental United States. It then applies a series of constraints to exclude woody biomass that is unavailable for WHS. These constraints include fine woody biomass, current land use, current wood utilization, land conservation, and topographical limitations. These results were then split into state by state and regional totals. Results: In total, the model projects the continental United States could produce 1,274 MtCO2e (CO2 equivalent) worth of coarse woody biomass annually in a scenario with no anthropogenic land use or constraints. In a scenario with anthropogenic land use and constraints on wood availability, the model projects that 415 MtCO2e of coarse woody biomass is available for WHS annually. This is enough to offset 8.5% of the United States' 2020 greenhouse gas emissions. Of this potential, 20 MtCO2e is from the Pacific region, 77 MtCO2e is from the Western Interior, 91 MtCO2e is from the Northeast region, and 228 MtCO2e is from the Southeast region. Conclusion: There is enough coarse woody biomass available in the continental United States to make WHS a viable form of carbon removal and storage in the country. There is coarse woody biomass available across the continental United States. All four primary regions analyzed have enough coarse woody biomass available to justify investment in WHS projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) is crucial for understanding and managing forest ecosystems in the context of global environmental change, and also provides a scientific basis for national and regional ecological planning and carbon emission reduction policies. In order to investigate the regional pattern of forest AGB and its influencing factors in central China, a total of 469 sample plots were measured along four sample transects and on six mountains in field survey. The results showed that: 1) Two longitudinal distribution patterns of forest AGB were found, and one was that the AGB in the Qinling Mountains and the Daba Moutains gradually decreased from east to west, and the other was that the AGB in the areas between the two mountains gradually increased from east to west. The latitudinal distribution pattern of the forest AGB showed an "increasing–decreasing-increasing–decreasing" trend from south to north. The altitudinal distribution pattern showed a "first increasing-then decreasing" pattern with increasing altitude. 2) The influence of each factor on the spatial pattern of forest AGB was manifested as temperature > precipitation > HAI > topography, indicating that the spatial pattern of forest AGB in central China was the result of the interaction of climate, human activities and natural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive carbon emissions have resulted in the greenhouse effect, causing considerable global climate change. Marine carbon storage has emerged as a crucial approach to addressing climate change. The Qiantang Sag (QTS) in the East China Sea Shelf Basin, characterized by its extensive area, thick sedimentary strata, and optimal depth, presents distinct geological advantages for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. Focusing on the lower section of the Shimentan Formation in the Upper Cretaceous of the QTS, this study integrates seismic interpretation and drilling data with core and thin-section analysis. We reveal the vertical variation characteristics of the strata by providing a detailed stratigraphic description. We use petrophysical data to reveal the development characteristics of high-quality carbon-storage layers and favorable reservoir–caprock combinations, thereby evaluating the geological conditions for CO2 storage in various stratigraphic sections. We identify Layer B of the lower Shimentan Formation as the most advantageous stratum for marine CO2 storage. Furthermore, we analyze the carbon emission trends in the adjacent Yangtze River Delta region. Considering the characteristics of the source and sink areas, we suggest a strong correlation between the carbon emission sources of the Yangtze River Delta and the CO2 storage area of the QTS, making the latter a priority area for conducting experiments on marine CO2 storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecosystem services of vertical greenery systems (VGSs) have attracted increasing research attention in recent decades. In addition to improving urban landscape esthetic and thermal comfort, VGSs also contribute to carbon (C) sequestration and CO2 uptake to mitigate climate change. In this study, the C storage and sequestration of six commonly used plant species (Coleus scutellarioides, Peperomia claviformis, Tradescantia spathacea, Duranta repens, Ficus elastica, and Heptapleurum heptaphyllum) in VGSs were determined over a year period. The C sequestration potential of the six plant species ranged from 60.6 to 248 g C m− 2 yr− 1, and T. spathacea was most effective in C sequestration. The net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) of each plant species during different seasons were measured by using a portable chamber. The results revealed significant seasonal patterns in NEE, with peaking values occurring in summer. Additionally, the NEE values were higher for woody plants than for herbaceous plants. Correlation analysis indicated that the NEE of the VGSs was significantly affected by leaf area index (LAI), root biomass, and stomatal conductance. In addition, the indoor CO2 uptake rates of six plant species in VGSs were predicted under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) = 200 and 450 µmol m− 2 s− 1. Among six plant species, H. heptaphyllum exhibited highest average indoor CO2 uptake rate throughout four seasons. Therefore, optimizing VGSs with woody plants featuring high NEE and biomass is critical for enhancing C sequestration and CO2 uptake within urban ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Densification of urban areas and rapid urbanization result in land scarcity in the Sahelian cities of West Africa. Therefore, urban greenspaces are increasingly coveted for socio-economic development. This is the case of the peri-urban forest of Kua in Burkina Faso which has been subject of controversies between ecologists and decision makers who intended to declassify this forest for hospital project. The lack of ecological evidence on this forest fueled the dichotomous conflicts between environment protection and urban planning. Hence, this study aimed to assess the ecological characteristics of the peri-urban forest of Kua. Dendrometric measurements of 2993 individuals were performed in 106 plots across the peri-urban forests of Kua and Dindéresso. We computed and compared tree diversity metrics, structural parameters and carbon stocks between the two forests. The findings revealed a γ–diversity of 40 woody species from 38 genera and 16 families in Kua forest. Through the diversity metrics, we found that the peri-urban forest of Kua exhibited lower tree diversity than the peri-urban forest of Dindéresso (p-value < 0.05). Similarly, tree density was significantly lower (p-value < 0.05) in Kua (212.446 ± 291.65 ind. ha−1) than in Dindéresso (378.461 ± 298.89 ind. ha−1). However, carbon stock was two times significantly higher (p-value < 0.05) in Kua (26.21 ± 31.27 Mg.ha−1) than in Dindéresso (13.389 ± 15.95 Mg.ha−1), highlighting the high potential of this forest in carbon sequestration. This study demonstrated that the peri-urban forest of Kua – despite its lower tree diversity and density – constitutes important carbon pools and sinks. Therefore, this forest must not be declassified, but should rather be reinforced through management plans and conservation actions. To sustain urban development, land management policies promoting the conservation of greenspaces are required to reduce biodiversity loss and carbon emissions in urban centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvested wood products (HWPs) store a significant amount of carbon while long-lived products and wooden buildings can be among the most effective means for carbon storage. Wood products’ lifetime extension and appropriate waste management, recycling, and reuse can further contribute to the achievement of climate goals. In our study we projected under 10 different scenarios the carbon storage, carbon dioxide and methane emissions of the Hungarian HWP pool up to 2050 in order to find the combination of wood industry-related measures with the highest climate change mitigation effect. For the projection we used the country-specific HWP-RIAL model to predict emissions associated with the end-of-life and waste management of wood products. The main conclusion is that without additional measures the Hungarian HWP pool would turn from a carbon sink to a source of emissions by 2047. To maintain the Hungarian HWP pool to be a continuous carbon sink it is essential to implement additional climate mitigation measures including cascading product value chains, and approaches of a circular bioeconomy. We find the most effective individual measures are increasing product half-life, increasing recycling rate and increasing industrial wood production through increased industrial wood assortments and increased harvest. With the combination of these measures a maximum average annual climate change mitigation potential of 1.5 Mt CO2 equivalents could be reached during the 2022–2050 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initiatives to repurpose vacant lots to improve people's well-being are increasing worldwide. Still, little is known about how distinct plant communities influence the provision of ecosystem services in vacant lots. To bridge this gap, we investigated associations in vacant lots between land-cover type, plant diversity (both taxonomic and functional), and composition with soil organic carbon and hydraulic conductivity which are indicators of carbon storage and stormwater runoff control. We sampled plant communities, soil organic carbon, and hydraulic conductivity across 50 sites, three plots per site, in the Greater Quebec City Area, Canada. The sites comprised five land-cover types: lawn, bare soil, low- and high-density herbaceous vegetation, and sparse trees. Soil organic carbon was lowest in bare soil lots, while the lowest hydraulic conductivity was found in lots with sparse trees and high-density herbaceous vegetation. Soil organic carbon was positively correlated with forb and total plant cover, but negatively correlated with functional dispersion. Hydraulic conductivity was positively correlated with taproot frequency and functional dispersion of three traits (lifespan, specific leaf area, and reproductive modes), but negatively correlated with grass and total plant cover. This research highlights the associations between plant functional traits and groups with soil characteristics, uncovering patterns that might be overlooked if only land-cover was considered, such as higher carbon storage and hydraulic conductivity associated with forb-rich meadows with high taproot frequency. We advocate for a trait-focused approach in vacant lot revitalization, particularly when the goal is to enhance local levels of soil-based ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is critical for the restoration of degraded ecosystems and active afforestation of degraded peatlands has been suggested as a restoration measure under the NRL. Here, we discuss the current state of scientific evidence on the climate mitigation effects of peatlands under forestry. Afforestation of drained peatlands without restoring their hydrology does not fully restore ecosystem functions. Evidence on long-term climate benefits is lacking and it is unclear whether CO2 sequestration of forest on drained peatland can offset the carbon loss from the peat over the long-term. While afforestation may offer short-term gains in certain cases, it compromises the sustainability of peatland carbon storage. Thus, active afforestation of drained peatlands is not a viable option for climate mitigation under the EU Nature Restoration Law and might even impede future rewetting/restoration efforts. Instead, restoring hydrological conditions through rewetting is crucial for effective peatland restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities have caused irreversible consequences on our planet, including climate change and environmental pollution. Nevertheless, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and capturing carbon can mitigate global warming. Biochar and hydrochar are increasingly used for soil remediation due to their stable adsorption qualities. As soil amendments, these materials improve soil quality and reduce water loss, prevent cracking and shrinkage, and interact with microbial communities, resulting in a promising treatment method for reducing gas emissions from the top layer of soil. However, during long-term studies, contradictory results were found, suggesting that higher biochar application rates led to higher soil CO2 effluxes, biodiversity loss, an increase in invasive species, and changes in nutrient cycling. Hydrochar, generated through hydrothermal carbonization, might be less stable when introduced into the soil, which could lead to heightened GHG emissions due to quicker carbon breakdown and increased microbial activity. On the other hand, biochar, created via pyrolysis, demonstrates stability and can beneficially impact GHG emissions. Biochar could be the preferred red option for carbon sequestration purposes, while hydrochar might be more advantageous for use as a gas adsorbent. This review paper highlights the ecological impact of long-term applications of biochar and hydrochar in soil. In general, using these materials as soil amendments helps establish a sustainable pool of organic carbon, decreasing atmospheric GHG concentration and mitigating the impacts of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial carbon storage (CS) plays a crucial role in achieving carbon balance and mitigating global climate change. This study employs the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and Representative Concentration Pathways (SSPs-RCPs) published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and incorporates the Policy Control Scenario (PCS) regulated by China's land management policies. The Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model is employed to generate a 1 km resolution land use/cover change (LUCC) dataset for China in 2030 and 2060. Based on the carbon density dataset of China's terrestrial ecosystems, the study analyses CS changes and their relationship with land use changes spanning from 1990 to 2060. The findings indicate that the quantitative changes in land use in China from 1990 to 2020 are characterised by a reduction in the area proportion of cropland and grassland, along with an increase in the impervious surface and forest area. This changing trend is projected to continue under the PCS from 2020 to 2060. Under the SSPs-RCPs scenario, the proportion of cropland and impervious surface predominantly increases, while the proportions of forest and grassland continuously decrease. Carbon loss in China's carbon storage from 1990 to 2020 amounted to 0.53 × 1012 kg, primarily due to the reduced area of cropland and grassland. In the SSPs-RCPs scenario, more significant carbon loss occurs, reaching a peak of 8.07 × 1012 kg in the SSP4-RCP3.4 scenario. Carbon loss is mainly concentrated in the southeastern coastal area and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region of China, with urbanisation and deforestation identified as the primary drivers. In the future, it is advisable to enhance the protection of forests and grassland while stabilising cropland areas and improving the intensity of urban land. These research findings offer valuable data support for China's land management policy, land space optimisation, and the achievement of dual-carbon targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper aims to assess the effects of landscape change in a mountain river basin in the north of Iran through quantifying, mapping, and assessing carbon storage. The analyses were performed based on previous alterations in land use and land cover (LULC) (1988–2018) and on expected changes determined by three LULC alteration setups for 2048. The Landsat imagery from 2018, 2008, 1998, and 1988 was used for evaluating and predicting the spatiotemporal distributions of LULC changes. The future LULC image prediction has been generated using Land Change Modeler (LCM) module of TerrSet software for the years 2028, 2038, and 2048. Validation was carried out by overlaying the actual and projected to 2018 map. We integrated the Markov Chain (MC) and InVEST Carbon Storage and Sequestration (InVEST-CSS) models for simulating the ecosystem carbon storage and the long-term monetary valuation. In this process, we considered social costs/economic value because of the area's loss and gain of stored carbon. The results show that forests and rangelands with good and poor conditions decreased by 631.2, 10,374, and 10,254 ha, respectively, from 1988 to 2018. Overall, modeling and mapping LULC changes showed a descending trend in forests (0.66%), agriculture (0.1%), and rangelands (4.1%) in 2048. In addition, carbon storage has already been lost by 9.9 million tons (76.98 ha−1) from 1988 to 8.8 million tons (68.86 ha−1) in 2018 and is expected to have an 8.4 million tons (65.25 ha−1) loss by 2048. Monitoring the economic value of carbon storage from 1988 to 2018 shows a loss of $US 15684338 (121.8 ha−1) and estimates a loss of $US6972622 (54.18 ha−1) by 2048. Therefore, spatiotemporal design of InVEST model by estimating the carbon value over time focuses on continuous monitoring actions for both the carbon pools dynamic and LULC pattern. This consideration causes reduction the uncertainty of estimated models and also increases the continuous cost of those changes. This will help government and decision makers for long-term and accurate carbon sequestration strategies for ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary production is an important driver of marine carbon storage. Besides the major nutrient elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon, primary production also depends on the availability of nutrient-type metals (e.g., Cu, Fe, Mo) and the absence of toxicologically relevant metals (e.g., Ni, Pb). Especially in coastal oceans, carbon storage and export to the open ocean is highly variable and influenced by anthropogenic eutrophication and pollution. To model future changes in coastal carbon storage processes, a solid baseline of nutrient and metal concentrations is crucial. The North Sea is an important shelf sea, influenced by riverine, atmospheric, Baltic Sea, and North Atlantic inputs. We measured the concentrations of dissolved nutrients (NH4+, NO3−, PO43−, and SiO44−) and 26 metals in 337 water samples from various depths within the entire North Sea and Skagerrak. A principal component analysis enabled us to categorize the analytes into three groups according to their predominant behavior: tracers for seawater (e.g., Mo, U, V), recycling (e.g., NO3−, PO43−, SiO44−), and riverine or anthropogenic input (e.g., Ni, Cu, Gd). The results further indicate an increasing P-limitation and increasing anthropogenic gadolinium input into the German Bight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is always a challenging job to compare forest resources as there is not a standardized spatial unit with location information. Google Plus Code, the newest alphanumeric geocoding system, uses 20 specifically selected letters and numbers to assign a unique global ID to every cell at different levels of a hierarchical grid system which is established based on latitude and longitude. It can be used as a standardized, unique global geospatial unit to segment, locate, quantitate, evaluate, and compare natural resources with area, boundary, and location information embedded. Results: For this proof-of-concept case study, forest inventory data from 1987, 2002, and 2019 for the Zijin Mountain National Forest Park in Jiangsu Province, China was analyzed based on Google Plus Code grid/cell. This enabled the quantification of carbon storage at each cell allowing for the comparison of estimated carbon storage at same or different locations over time. Conclusions: This methodology is used to quantify the impacts of changing forest conditions and forest management activities on carbon storage with high spatial accuracy through the 32-year study period. Furthermore, this technique could be used for providing technical support and validation of carbon credit quantification and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform a series of repeated CO2 injections in a room-scale physical model of a faulted geological cross-section. Relevant parameters for subsurface carbon storage, including multiphase flows, capillary CO2 trapping, dissolution and convective mixing, are studied and quantified. As part of a validation benchmark study, we address and quantify six predefined metrics for storage capacity and security in typical CO2 storage operations. Using the same geometry, we investigate the degree of reproducibility of five repeated experimental runs. Our analysis focuses on physical variations of the spatial distribution of mobile and dissolved CO2, multiphase flow patterns, development in mass of the aqueous and gaseous phases, gravitational fingers and leakage dynamics. We observe very good reproducibility in homogenous regions with up to 97% overlap between repeated runs, and that fault-related heterogeneity tends to decrease reproducibility. Notably, we observe an oscillating CO2 leakage behavior from the spill point of an anticline and discuss the observed phenomenon within the constraints of the studied system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effort towards a greener future will entail a shift to more environmentally friendly alternatives of many human activities. Within this context, the path towards a decarbonized society in general, and industrial decarbonization in particular, will require using low carbon solutions and/or capturing carbon emissions at the source. This flux of captured carbon will then require management and one option is to store it in concrete. The incorporation of the captured CO2 can be done during the mixing and/or curing. While the latter is more efficient and effective in terms of the amount of CO2 incorporated, it is limited to concrete in elements that are compatible with chamber curing. In practice, this would be restricted to the concrete pre-fabrication industry and, most probably, only to small size elements. Despite the lower performance, incorporation of CO2 into concrete during the mixing stage is a relatively universal alternative. The present research effort reveals that the latter solution is beneficial from an environmental point of view, with an estimated yearly carbon storage of 23 million tonnes worldwide against emissions of 2.5 million tonnes to do it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of the continental margins in the world oceans provide the necessary thermodynamic conditions to store CO 2 as ice-like hydrates (CO 2 · 6 H 2 O). While resistant to buoyant migration and leakage, the fundamental growth mechanisms that control the injection, capacity, and security of CO 2 hydrates stored in the seafloor remain unresolved. Extensive field and laboratory testing give rise to conflicting views on the kinetics and growth configurations of hydrates, where mechanistic models reconciling the formation of hydrates observed in nature remain missing. This work elucidates a fundamental pore-scale reactive transport mechanism that underpins the rate and morphology of hydrate formation. We reveal a previously unrecognized mode of hydrate formation in porous seafloor sediments, hydrate film growth via reaction-imbibition, where superhydrophilic hydrate crystallites ( θ ∼ 0 ∘ ) formed at water–CO 2 interfaces create a secondary microporous medium (∼ 10 to 100 nm pores) within lithologic sediment pores (∼ 10 to 100 μ m pores) to promote further hydrate growth. Unlike past diffusion-controlled models, we show that spontaneous water imbibition into the hydrate micropores establishes rapidly new water–CO 2 interfaces (i.e., hydrate formation surfaces) via capillary-driven convection and is the dominant mechanism for supplying water to the hydrate formation interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services (ESs) associated with surficial processes may change according to shifts in land use, land cover, and climate parameters. Estimating these shifts can be important for land development planning, as urbanization alters soil processes that can manifest legacy effects. We employed the InVEST suite of models for sediment retention, nutrient delivery, and carbon storage to postulate how these ESs will change in the Upstate of South Carolina under future precipitation and land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios. We used the average precipitation from 1981–2010 and WorldClim precipitation projections for 2021–2040 and 2041–2060 to embody climatic precipitation shifts. For our LULC scenarios, we used 2011 and 2016 NLCD landscapes, then projected future LULC to hypothesize four future scenarios. We found that for the ES models that included both precipitation and LULC as inputs, precipitation dictated ES delivery far more heavily than land use or land cover. LULC scenarios produced consistent changes in ES delivery for all models except sediment export. Phosphorus and sediment exports increased between 2011 and 2016 due to LULC change, while nitrogen export stayed the same and carbon storage decreased. Land development that prioritizes forest cover will cause the least change in ESs, but allowing for continued forest loss to low-density development will have the most intense implications for ESs. Prioritization of land uses that preserve ESs associated with surficial processes will be critical to the longevity of agriculture and ecosystem integrity in this rapidly developing region. Land development planners should integrate consideration of ESs associated with surficial processes into future regional planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been found to increase plant biomass, cellulose content, and the associated root biomechanical properties, but little is known about how AM fungi affect the in situ root decay process in terms of the changes in the chemical and biomechanical properties. Methods: In this study, we inoculated AM fungi to Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) and measured the biomass, the contents of cellulose and lignin, and the biomechanical properties, including tensile strength and Young's modulus of the grass roots as they grew for 180 days and then decayed for 360 days after burning or for 60 days after the herbicide application. Results: Results show that the AM fungi accelerated the accumulation of grass biomass and root cellulose content compared with non-mycorrhizal grass during the growth period. This effect of AM fungi made mycorrhizal grass generally maintained more biomass and cellulose content than non-mycorrhizal grass at every decaying stage. Inoculation of the AM fungi did not significantly change the root tensile strength or Young's modulus, but it altered the correlations between tensile strength and root diameter, and Young's modulus and root diameter. Mycorrhizal effects during the root decaying process appeared to diminish under herbicide treatment, compared with normal growth and burning treatments. Conclusion: Our study highlights the important role of AM fungi in maintaining in situ root biomass (a proxy for carbon content) from decaying or decomposing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moyna of Purba Medinipur district is widely known as an aquaculture hub of West Bengal, India. Though very good production is achievable from this fish culture system, management practices are inappropriate, which could create the sustainability problem of this culture system. The present study was thus undertaken for the estimation of plankton population, water quality, carbon footprint and carbon sequestration of this intensive aquaculture practices. Information on spawn to fry, fry to fingerlings and grow-out culture were collected through the structured questionnaire from the fish farmers. The plankton density, primary productivity, carbon footprint and carbon sequestration were analyzed using standard procedures. The phytoplankton, zooplankton and primary productivity were maximum at the stocking period and minimum during the middle of culture period. The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was noticed with the minimum amount of feed applied in the pond. The CO2-e emission ranged from 0.56 to 4.89 kg CO2-e/kg fish (av. 2.13) for the production levels of 5.0 to 10.7 t/ha/yr. The pond water developed salinity and ammonium-N increased from 0.01 to 0.50 mg/l. The ponds with high feed loading (28 to 32 t/ha/yr) had the highest average sediment accumulation rate (11.0 ± 3.0 cm/yr) and carbon sequestration (704 ± 30 g C/m2/yr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban and peri-urban forests greatly contribute to the well-being of urban dwellers in West Africa. However, increasing urban densification and spatial expansion negatively affect the functioning of urban ecosystems. Therefore, highlighting the negative impacts of land use change on the ecological attributes of urban landscapes is fundamental for sustainable urban planning. This study aimed to assess the impacts of land use on woody species diversity, structure and carbon storage in peri-urban areas in Burkina Faso. Forest inventories were conducted in 167 plots across two peri-urban forests and their adjacent agroforestry systems. We found a total diversity of 91 woody species representing 69 genera and 26 families. Diversity indices were significantly higher (p-value < 0.0001) in the peri-urban forests than in the agroforestry systems, highlighting a negative impacts of land use on tree diversity. Besides, peri-urban forests had significantly lower tree diameter (15.749 ± 9.194 cm), but higher basal area (5.030 ± 4.407 m2. ha−1) and denser stands (317.308 ± 307.845 ind. ha−1) compared to the agroforestry systems. Tree aboveground biomass was significantly higher (p-value < 0.0001) in the peri-urban forests (18.198 ± 23.870 Mg. ha−1) than in the agroforestry systems (7.821 ± 6.544 Mg. ha−1). Multivariate analyses revealed that denser stands hold higher diversity in peri-urban areas, and that stand basal area mostly drives carbon storage than tree density and diversity. These findings highlight the potential of peri-urban forests to conserve plant biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The study advocates for a sustainable urban land use and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessments of ecosystem carbon storage are needed to form the scientific basis for carbon policies. Due to lack of data, there are few accurate, large-scale, and long-term predictions of ecosystem carbon storage. This study used the Distributed Land-Use Change Prediction (DLUCP) model with ten socioeconomic and two climate change scenarios for a total of 20 combinations that take into account population increase, technology innovation, climate change, and Grain for Green Project to make high-resolution predictions of land use change in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Low and high carbon sequestration practices were considered to predict future carbon densities. Land use change data, carbon densities data, and the InVEST model were used to predict changes in ecosystem carbon storage from now to 2070. The results show a slight increase (1.88–4.17%) in carbon storage in the study area only based on land use change. Grain for Green Project has the largest impact on carbon storage among population increase, technology innovation, climate scenarios, and Grain for Green Project, which increases carbon storage by 4.17%. After the implementation of carbon sequestration practices, there is an increase in carbon storages from 28.51 to 56.77% in the study area from now to 2070, and increasing carbon storages of forest in each stream and carbon storage of cropland in downstream are efficient ways to achieve carbon neutralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little information is available on the effects of nano-α-Fe2O3 on arsenic (As) metabolism of algae and potential associated carbon (C) storage in As-contaminated water with dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) as a phosphorus (P) source. In this study, Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) was used to investigate impacts of nano-α-Fe2O3 on cell growth and As metabolism of algae under a phytate (PA) environment as well as potential associated C storage. Results showed that nano-α-Fe2O3 had a subtle influence on algal cell growth in a PA environment. Herein, algal cell density (OD680) and chlorophyll a (Chla) were inhibited at elevated nano-α-Fe2O3 levels, which simultaneously limited the decrease of Yield. As suggested, the complexation of PA with nano-α-Fe2O3 could alleviate the negative influence on algal cell growth. Furthermore, the elevated nano-α-Fe2O3 increased As methylation in the PA environment due to higher monomethylarsenic (MMA) and dimethylarsenic (DMA) concentrations in the test media. Additionally, microcystins (MCs) in the media changed consistently with UV254, both of which were relatively lower at 10.0 mg·L−1 nano-α-Fe2O3. Enhanced As(V) methylation of algal cells was found to simultaneously reduce the release risk of As(III) and MC while increasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content in media, suggesting unfavorable C storage. Three-dimensional fluorescence analysis revealed that the main DOC constituent was the tryptophan-like component in aromatic proteins. Correlation analysis showed that decreases in pH and the zeta potential and an increase in Chla may lead to metabolic As improvements in M. aeruginosa. The obtained findings highlight the need for greater focus on the potential risks of DOP combined with nano-α-Fe2O3 on algal blooms as well as the biogeochemical cycling processes of As and C storage in As-contaminated water with DOP as the P source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Organic fertilizer addition plays a significant role for soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. The interaction between bacteria and clay minerals for the mechanism of SOC storage with organic fertilization was investigated in saline-alkaline paddy soil. Methods: A 9-year field experiment was arranged, which included: (a) CK, without fertilizer addition, (b) NPK, mineral N, P and K fertilizer addition, (c) NPKC1, and (d) NPKC2, mineral N, P and K fertilizer plus 450 and 900 kg C ha−1, respectively. Results: In comparison to only mineral fertilization, the content of humic acid-C and humin-C was significantly increased by 58.8%–70.6% and 46.9–53.1% with organic fertilizer addition, respectively. The 2:1 type clay minerals (vermiculite and illite) were also increased, which were positively correlated with SOC storage due to the formation of clay minerals-humus complexes. Meanwhile, the abundance of Geobacter and Anaeromyxobacter was increased with organic fertilization, which accelerated the transformation of clay minerals by promoting Fe reduction, and then increased SOC storage. While, compared with NPKC1 treatment, more Gammaproteobacteria and Anaerolineae, involved in the decomposition of SOC, were found in NPKC2 treatment. Relative to NPK treatment, SOC storage of NPKC1 and NPKC2 treatments increased by 23.3% and 29.8%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two treatments. Conclusions: Therefore, appropriate addition of organic fertilizer is a better fertilization practice to promote stability and storage of SOC, which provided an important contribution to elucidate the role of mineral-microbial interactions for storage of SOC in saline-alkaline paddy soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Substantial quantities of sedimentary materials are transported from the Yangtze River toward the water level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Sediment and riparian soil coring across the elevation gradient in the WLFZ of the TGR over a 6-year period are used to interpret deposition patterns, particle size properties, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and nutrient ratios using fluvial and suspended sediment data from upstream under flow regime manipulation of the reservoir. Materials and methods: Sediment and associated riparian soil cores were extracted in 2013 and 2019 across various elevation gradients in the WLFZ of the TGR. A total of 15 sediments and 24 soil cores were extracted. The sectioned sediment and soil subsamples were analyzed for particle size distribution (PSD) (including sand, silt, and clay fractions); median particle size (MPS) distributions, TOC, TN, TP, and various nutrient ratios were calculated. Upstream suspended sediment and hydrological data were used to interpret sediment deposition, carbon, associated nutrient deposition, and storage dynamics across the elevation gradient. Results and discussion: Sediment deposition and relative fining of sediment and riparian soil were irregular, decreased with an increase in elevation, and increased with time. In 2013, the distributions of TOC, TN, TP, and nutrient ratios were irregular, and comparatively stable distributions were observed in 2019, which increased from lower to upper elevation gradient. With a few exceptions, similar trends were also observed in riparian soil core profiles. We conclude that water level fluctuations, water residence time, suspended sediment dynamics, time, and topography played a significant role in determining changes in sediment and riparian soil properties over time. Fine sediment-induced carbon and nutrient lateral translocations and subsequent interactions in sediment and soil layers due to repeated inundation cycles change the sediment and soil properties over time. Conclusions: This study interprets sedimentary carbon and nutrient redistribution and translocation processes. The concentrations of carbon and nutrients in sediments and soils change over time due to various fluvial, sedimentary, and geochemical processes, including the hydrological regime, flow regulation manipulation, repeated inundation cycles, water residence time, and suspended sediment dynamics. Fine sediment-associated lateral translocations cause the enrichment of these components in sediments and riparian soils. Sediment deposition is declining in this region due to environmental protection and conservation initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thinning is a widely used forest management tool but systematic research has not been carried out to verify its effects on carbon storage and plant diversity at the ecosystem level. In this study, the effect of thinning was assessed across seven thinning intensities (0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35%) in a low-quality secondary forest in NE China over a ten-year period. Thinning affected the carbon storage of trees, and shrub, herb, and soil layers (P < 0.05). It first increased and then decreased as thinning intensity increased, reaching its maximum at 30% thinning. Carbon storage of the soil accounted for more than 64% of the total carbon stored in the ecosystem. It was highest in the upper 20-cm soil layer. Thinning increased tree species diversity while decreasing shrub and herb diversities (P < 0.05). Redundancy analysis and a correlation heat map showed that carbon storage of tree and shrub layers was positively correlated with tree diversity but negatively with herb diversity, indicating that the increase in tree diversity increased the carbon storage of natural forest ecosystems. Although thinning decreased shrub and herb diversities, it increased the carbon storage of the overall ecosystem and tree species diversity of secondary forest. Maximum carbon storage and the highest tree diversity were observed at a thinning intensity of 30%. This study provides evidence for the ecological management of natural and secondary forests and improvement of ecosystem carbon sinks and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydration, carbonation, and related metasomatism of mantle peridotite play a significant role in the global geochemical cycle. In this study, we combined an analysis of carbonated serpentinite with hydrothermal experiments on carbonation and Ca-metasomatism for samples from the Manlay ophiolite, southern Mongolia to investigate that carbonation mechanism of the serpentinite body after serpentinization. Samples show that the serpentinite was either transected by calcite and dolomite veins or was completely replaced by carbonates (calcite with minor dolomite) and quartz, in which the original mesh texture of serpentinite was preserved. Carbonation occurred after low-temperature serpentinization (lizardite/chrysotile), suggesting that carbonation occurred at temperatures lower than 300 ˚C. Calcite in the serpentinite showed δ13 CVPDB values ranging from -8.83 to -5.11 ‰ and δ18 OVSMOW from + 20.1 to + 24.4 ‰, suggesting that CO2 in the fluids could be derived from the degradation of organic material or methanotrophic processes rather than the origin of seafloor limestone. Three batch-type experiments, i.e., single step experiments (1) Olivine + NaHCO3,aq + CaCl2,aq and (2) Chrysotile + NaHCO3,aq + wollastonite (Ca source), and two steps experiment (3) Olivine carbonation and Ca-metasomatism, were conducted at 275 °C and 5.7 MPa to constrain the mechanism of calcite replacement of serpentinite. We found that calcite precipitated from the solution directly in the first two experiments, but replacement of serpentinite by calcite was not observed. In contrast, the third experiment caused the initial carbonation to form magnesite and then changed to calcite by later alteration. The natural occurrences and experiments revealed the possibility that the carbonation of olivine followed by Ca-rich fluid infiltration produced calcite in the carbonated serpentinite. Such Ca-metasomatism of Mg carbonates could easily occur in the ultramafic bodies and significantly affect the global carbon cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands (natural, semi-natural and improved) occupy approximately one-third of the terrestrial biosphere and are key for global ecosystem service provision, storing up to 30% of soil organic carbon (SOC). To date, most research on soil carbon (C) sequestration has focused on croplands where the levels of native soil organic matter (SOM) are typically low and significant potential exists to replenish SOM stocks. However, with the renewed push to achieve "net zero" C emissions by 2050, grasslands may offer an additional C store, utilising tools such as biochar. Here, we critically evaluate the potential for biochar as a technology for increasing grassland C stocks, identifying a number of practical, economic, social and legislative challenges that need to be addressed before the widescale adoption of biochar may be achieved. We critically assess the current knowledge within the field of grassland biochar research in the context of ecosystem service provision and provide opinions on the applicability of biochar as an amendment to different types of grassland (improved, semi-improved and unimproved) and the potential effect on ecosystem provision using a range of application techniques in the topsoil and subsoil. We concluded that the key question remains, is it possible for managed grasslands to store more C, without causing a loss in additional ecosystem services? To address this question future research must take a more multidisciplinary and holistic approach when evaluating the potential role of biochar at sequestering C in grasslands to mitigate climate change. Highlights: Carbon (C) rich grassland soils may offer an additional C store, utilising tools such as biochar Identification of practical, economic, social and legislative challenges for scaled adoption of biochar in grasslands Key question: will enhanced C storage in grasslands soils cause a loss in additional ecosystem services? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The symbiosis between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can increase soil carbon storage by contributing to glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) and increasing plant biomass. However, increased plant available soil phosphorus (P) can disrupt the AM fungal symbiosis, which could reduce the potential for carbon storage in systems experiencing high nutrient inputs. Using two complementary approaches, we examined whether GRSP production and the ability of AM fungi to affect plant growth varied in soils sampled along a nutrient gradient. Methods: First, GRSP and soil nutrients were sampled in a field survey of 10 grasslands to determine whether GRSP content was negatively correlated with soil P. Second, a common garden experiment evaluated GRSP production and the biomass response of Trifolium pratense to soil biota sampled from each of the 10 field sites. To evaluate the influence of AM fungi, two fractions of soil biota were used in the experiment: a whole soil inoculum than contained AM fungi along with other soil microbes and a microbial wash inoculum in which AM fungi had been removed by filtration, but which still contained other microbes. Results: We found that GRSP content differed between field sites, but was not correlated with soil P. In the common garden experiment, GRSP production did not vary among sources of soil biota nor was it correlated with soil P from field sites for either the whole soil or microbial wash treatments. GRSP production was also higher in the microbial wash treatment, which lacked AM fungi, compared to the whole soil inoculum treatment. In addition, plant biomass was significantly higher in the whole soil vs. microbial wash treatments, and plant biomass was highest when inoculated with soil biota from sites with the highest P content. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that elevated soil P does not necessarily negatively impact the ability of soil microbes to produce GRSP nor does it have a negative impact on the ability of AM fungi to stimulate plant growth. Our findings are also consistent with recent work suggesting that AM fungi may not necessarily contribute to GRSP production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization influences soil carbon (C) stocks and flows, which, in turn, affect soil-derived ecosystem services. This paper explores soil C storage in urban greenspaces in the Dutch city of The Hague along a transect from the suburban seaside towards the city centre, reflecting a toposequence from dune to peaty inland soils. C storage and C mineralisation potential were evaluated in relation to soil type and greenspace categories. Several soil-quality characteristics were measured, including dissolved organic C, pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, calcium carbonate, and the water-holding capacity of the soil to evaluate what drives soil C storage in the urban context. The total SOC storage of the upper 30 cm of the greenspaces in The Hague (20.8 km2 with 37% greenspace) was estimated at 78.4 kt, which was significantly higher than assumed given their soil types. Degradability of soil organic matter in laboratory batch tests varied between 0.2 and 3 mg C gSOC−1 day−1. Degradability was highest in the seaside dune soils; however, extrapolated to the topsoil using the bulk density, topsoil C mineralization was higher in the urban forest. Soils beneath shrubs appeared to be hotspots for C storage, accounting for only 13% of the aerial cover but reflecting 24% of the total C storage. Land ownership, land use, greenspaces size, litter management and soil type did not result in significantly different C stocks, suggesting that processes driving urban soil C storage are controlled by different factors, namely land cover and the urbanization extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main goal of this study was to determine if ancient wheat varieties could store more carbon than modern ones in the presence or absence of inputs, due to a likely bigger and deeper root system and a slower mineralization rate. Methods: We conducted a field experiment with four modern and four ancient varieties (released before 1960 and often grown without inputs), with and without chemical inputs (nitrogen, herbicide and fungicide taken as a single factor). Root morphology was assessed by image analysis, potential catabolic activities of fructose, alanine, citric acid by MicroResp™ and overall CO2 emissions by incubating soil and roots from each modality for 60 days. Results: The breeding type did not affect root traits, substrates respiration nor CO2 emissions in our environmental conditions. The application of inputs did not affect root traits but influenced the respiration of specific substrates and CO2 emissions. The most noticeable response was due to the "breeding type x inputs" interaction: inputs increased CO2 emissions from soil and root tissues of ancient varieties by 19%, whereas no effect was observed for modern varieties. Conclusion: Taken together, our results did not support the hypothesis that ancient varieties could be more performant than modern ones in storing carbon in our experimental conditions. Increased CO2 emissions by ancient varieties in the presence of inputs showed that ancient and modern varieties differed in their phenotypic plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon storage of terrestrial ecosystems plays a vital role in advancing carbon neutrality. Better understanding of how land use changes affect carbon storage in urban agglomeration will provide valuable guidance for policymakers in developing effective regional conservation policies. Taking the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration (PRDUA) in China as an example, we examined the heterogeneous response of carbon storage to land use changes in 1990–2018 from a combined view of administrative units and physical entities. The results indicate that the primary change in land use was due to the expansion of construction land (5897.16 km2). The carbon storage in PRDUA decreased from 767.34 Tg C in 1990 to 725.42 Tg C in 2018 with a spatial pattern of high wings and the low middle. The carbon storage loss was largely attributed to construction land expansion (55.74%), followed by forest degradation (54.81%). Changes in carbon storage showed significant divergences in different sized cities and hierarchical boundaries. The coefficients of geographically weighted regression (GWR) reveal that the alteration in carbon storage in Guangzhou City was more responsive to changes in construction land (−0.11) compared to other cities, while that in Shenzhen was mainly affected by the dynamics of forest land (8.32). The change in carbon storage was primarily influenced by the conversion of farmland within urban extent (5.05) and the degradation of forest land in rural areas (5.82). Carbon storage changes were less sensitive to the expansion of construction land in the urban center, urban built-up area, and ex-urban built-up area, with the corresponding GWR coefficients of 0.19, 0.04, and 0.02. This study necessitates the differentiated protection strategies of carbon storage in urban agglomerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon ecosystem service is important due to climate change and the effects of forest management practices. Many research efforts have been made to relate carbon storage with forest management practices and identify the most suitable sites for this purpose. Different methods for digitizing and mapping of carbon ecosystem services are needed to improve the value of ecosystem services at the local scale and to decide on natural resource management. In this study, a decision-making model to guide carbon storage and sequestration mapping has been established from ecosystem services and tested with real data. One objective of this study is to provide a carbon suitability map for stands of high carbon storage/growth potential. A second goal is to develop a template guiding surveyors to identify and map areas with different carbon storage potential. Stands of high carbon storage/growth potential were mapped and identified as the carbon suitability hotspots in Turkey at the local scale, taking into account the methods used in previous modeling and mapping studies. Criteria for carbon suitability mapping for Belgrad Forest were determined by using expert opinions and literature. Finally, carbon storage and carbon sequestration values were calculated. The model presented will reduce the uncertainty associated with carbon suitability mapping. The work presented suggests that local studies are needed to improve carbon mapping. The Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods and expert knowledge in forest studies can be utilized to assess their stands suitable for carbon storage. Based on these stands, zones suitable for carbon storage can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recurrent neural network is developed for segmenting between anomalous and normal diffusion in single-particle trajectories. Accurate segmentation infers a distinct change point that is used to approximate an Einstein linear regime in the mean-squared displacement curve via the transition density function, a unique physical descriptor for short-lived and delayed transiency. Through several artificial and simulated scenarios, we demonstrate the compelling accuracy of our model for dissecting linear and nonlinear behaviour. The inherent practicality of our model lies in its ability to substantiate the self-diffusion coefficient through offline trajectory segmentation, which is opposed to the common 'best-guess' linear fitting standard. Additionally, we show that the transition density function has fundamental implications and correspondence to underlying mechanisms that influence transition. In particular, we show that the known proportionality between salt concentration and diffusion of water also influences delayed anomalous behaviour. Article Highlights: Recurrent neural network is developed to identify diffusive change points in single-particle trajectories RNN predictions are accurate in a variety of synthetic and experimental scenarios simulated by molecular dynamics Particle trajectory transitions follow a distribution that can be affected by salinity in the context of CO2 storage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban land change plays an essential role in the development of country's economy. Rapid and unplanned urban growth increases land surface temperature (LST) and reduces carbon storage (CS) by replacing the natural land use/land cover (LULC). This paper aims to monitor and predict the changes in urban growth patterns on LST and CS for the winter season in Guangzhou from 1989 to 2021. The integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model is used to assess the existing (1989-2021) scenario of CS. The Cellular Automata-Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) and Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) based Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) are used to predict the future LULC, CS and LST scenarios. The results indicate that an increase in urban areas by 63% causes an upsurge of high LST (≥34 °C) areas by 652 km2 and a decrease in carbon storage by 56,943.607 t from 1989 to 2021. In addition, the results demonstrate that 93% of lower temperature areas have higher CS capacity (65%), whereas 80% of higher temperature areas demonstrate a low CS capacity (89%). This study can provide effective mitigating measures for designing smart cities and valuable guidelines for ensuring environmental-friendly green cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is currently an intense debate about the potential for additional organic carbon storage in soil, the strategies by which it may be accomplished and what the actual benefits might be for agriculture and the climate. Controversy forms an essential part of the scientific process, but on the topic of soil carbon storage, it may confuse the agricultural community and the general public and may delay actions to fight climate change. In an attempt to shed light on this topic, the originality of this article lies in its intention to provide a balanced description of contradictory scientific opinions on soil carbon storage and to examine how the scientific community can support decision-making despite the controversy. In the first part, we review and attempt to reconcile conflicting views on the mechanisms controlling organic carbon dynamics in soil. We discuss the divergent opinions about chemical recalcitrance, the microbial or plant origin of persistent soil organic matter, the contribution of particulate organic matter to additional organic carbon storage in soil, and the spatial and energetic inaccessibility of soil organic matter to decomposers. In the second part, we examine the advantages and limitations of big data management and modeling, which are essential tools to link the latest scientific theories with the actions taken by stakeholders. Finally, we show how the analysis and discussion of controversies can guide scientists in supporting stakeholders for the design of (i) appropriate trade-offs for biomass use in agriculture and forestry and (ii) climate-smart management practices, keeping in mind their still unresolved effects on soil carbon storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Timber harvesting and industrial wood processing laterally transfer the carbon stored in forest sectors to wood products creating a wood products carbon pool. The carbon stored in wood products is allocated to end-use wood products (e.g., paper, furniture), landfill, and charcoal. Wood products can store substantial amounts of carbon and contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse effects. Therefore, accurate accounts for the size of wood products carbon pools for different regions are essential to estimating the land-atmosphere carbon exchange by using the bottom-up approach of carbon stock change. Results: To quantify the carbon stored in wood products, we developed a state-of-the-art estimator (Wood Products Carbon Storage Estimator, WPsCS Estimator) that includes the wood products disposal, recycling, and waste wood decomposition processes. The wood products carbon pool in this estimator has three subpools: (1) end-use wood products, (2) landfill, and (3) charcoal carbon. In addition, it has a user-friendly interface, which can be used to easily parameterize and calibrate an estimation. To evaluate its performance, we applied this estimator to account for the carbon stored in wood products made from the timber harvested in Maine, USA, and the carbon storage of wood products consumed in the United States. Conclusion: The WPsCS Estimator can efficiently and easily quantify the carbon stored in harvested wood products for a given region over a specific period, which was demonstrated with two illustrative examples. In addition, WPsCS Estimator has a user-friendly interface, and all parameters can be easily modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphagnum mosses are important carbon sequesters and emerging model organisms. However, induction and long-term cultivation of thalloid protonema in several species was not achievable so far. Here, we provide protocols for a set of new tools relevant for Sphagnum molecular biology: a new way for Sphagnum protoplast isolation and regeneration, and a first protocol for transient protoplast transformation. Together, these protocols will support the emerging Sphagnum research community in basic and applied science. Key message: Advancing molecular research in climate-critical plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Forestry plays a major role in climate change mitigation. However, which intensity of logging is best suited for that task remains controversial. We contribute to the debate by quantitatively analyzing three different forest management scenarios in Germany—a baseline scenario which represents a continuation of current forest management practice as well as an intensive and an extensive logging scenario. We assess whether increased carbon storage in wood products and substitution of other emission-intensive materials can offset reduced carbon stocks in the forest due to increased harvesting. For that, we calculate annual required displacement factors (RDF)—a dimensionless quantity that indicates the minimal displacement factor (DF) so that intensive forestry outperforms extensive forestry from a climate perspective. Results: If the intensive forest management scenario is included in the comparison, the RDF starts off with relatively high values (1 to 1.5) but declines over time and eventually even reaches negative values. Comparing the extensive scenario to a baseline yields RDF values between 0.1 and 0.9 with a slightly increasing trend. Compared to RDFs, expected future DFs are too low to favour the intensive forestry scenario and too high to favour the extensive forestry scenario, during the first 25 years of the modeling period. However, towards the end of the modeling period, the relationship between DFs and RDF is turned around in both comparisons. In the comparison between intensive and extensive forest management RDF values are very similar to future DF trajectories. Conclusion: RDFs are a useful tool for comparing annual climate impacts of forest growth scenarios and can be used to benchmark material and energy substitution effects of wood. Our results indicate that the baseline scenario reflects an effective compromise between carbon stocks in the forest and carbon displacement by wood use. For a longer modeling period, however, this might not be the case. Which of the alternative scenarios would be best suited for climate change mitigation is heavily dependent on future DF trajectory. Hence, our findings highlight the necessity of robust projections of forest dynamics and industry decarbonization pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In alpine plants, the temporal variation in the concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) is closely related to the growth phenology, which is largely controlled by annual variations in temperature. However, in alpine areas of Mediterranean-type climate regions, plants growing at low elevations are also exposed to seasonal drought. Given the influence of drought on growth phenology and gas exchange, we hypothesize that the seasonal dynamics of growth and NSC concentrations in alpine plants of Mediterranean biomes is co-controlled by elevational gradients of temperature and soil moisture. If so, the end of the growing season and the maximum NSC concentrations at lower elevations should coincide with the occurrence of drought. We characterized the seasonal dynamics of photosynthesis capacity, growth and NSC concentrations, in an alpine plant species of the Andes of central Chile (Phacelia secunda Gmel.) at 1600 and 3600 m. We found that the length of the growing season was similar between elevations, but the timings differed. Whilst at 3600 m, the number of leaves and the mean leaf length progressively increased from December to February, at 1600 m, in contrast, they increased from the October to December. Likewise, maximum NSC concentrations at 3600 were observed at autumn along with growth cessation. Conversely, at 1600 m, the highest NSC concentration and the growth cessation were found towards mid-summer, and coincided with a drastic drop in both stomatal conductance and photosynthesis which were not observed at 3600 m. These results demonstrate that temperature alone does not control the growth phenology and the seasonal dynamics of NSC concentrations in alpine plants of Mediterranean biomes. Rather, summer drought also exerts a significant influence in the timing of the growing season and the NSC dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quilombola communities found in the Cerrado region of Brazil are inhabited mainly by groups of African ancestry. They tend to use agricultural management without technical assistance, which degrades soil quality. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the carbon and nitrogen pools in the Quilombola areas under different soil management types. A crop sequence was evaluated in two native Cerrado areas: 1—Cerradão (NC1) and 2—Cerrado stricto sensu (NC2), as follows: planted pasture (PP1 and PP2); maize (M1 and M2); citrus-cassava intercropping (T1); and citrus monoculture (T2). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates, and the plots were composed by the management systems, and the subplots were soil layers 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, 40–50, and 50–60 cm. Conservation cultivation practices in T1 increased total organic carbon (TOC) stock (173 Mg ha−1), compared with M1 (120 Mg ha−1) and PP1 under conventional management (105 Mg ha−1). Down to a soil depth of 20 cm, the total N (TN) stocks were 39% and 56% lower in NC1 and PP1, respectively, than under conventional management. In area 2, the TOC stocks were similar in all treatments (mean of 118 Mg ha−1), and the cumulative TN stock down to the 50–60 cm layer was 10 Mg ha−1. In the 0–20-cm layer, the N stock decreased by 15% under M2, while increases of 10% and 12% were observed in T2 and PP2, respectively. These results confirm that conservation management practices can increase carbon and nitrogen storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some European countries are exploring the idea of replacing dedicated crops with energy cover crops for biogas production. Indeed, energy cover crops can generate consequential biomass without competing with food crops for land use. However, the potential benefits and impacts of this choice are not fully understood. Here, we review what is known about the consequences of energy cover crop usage by examining management regimes and digestate use, including impacts on the environment and cropping system performance. First, compared to cover crops, energy cover crops are intensively managed to produce more biomass (< 5 t DM/ha vs. up to 16 t DM/ha). Second, nitrogen is conserved during anaerobic digestion and is more readily available to crops in digestate than in cover crops residues. However, ammonia is lost via volatilization, which could reduce nitrogen use efficiency, depending on the storage conditions and application method. Third, 43–80% of the crops' initial carbon is transformed into biogas. That said, levels of soil carbon storage may nonetheless resemble those obtained with cover crops left behind because carbon is stabilized during anaerobic digestion and the energy cover crops' roots and stubble are left behind in the soil. Fourth, energy cover crops can act as multiservice cover crops, reducing nitrate leaching, improving soil microbial activity, and enhancing soil physical properties during the fallow period. Fifth, energy cover crop usage can have certain disservices, such as soil compaction, the need for additional inputs (e.g., irrigation, fertilization, pesticides), reduced groundwater recharge, and reduced following crop yield. In summary, expanding the usage of energy cover crops for biogas production does not seem to be an environmental threat. However, care must be taken to avoid the intensification of irrigation and lengthening growing periods to boost biomass, which could reduce food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International agendas focus on limiting unchecked climate change through extensive mitigation. Worldwide, several reforestation initiatives strive to achieve ambitious goals and promote carbon sequestration on land. The greatest potential for reforestation lies within the tropics, and the Atlantic Forest is among the protagonists. However, little is known about the potential of these reforestations to mitigate climate change. Here, we assessed the carbon sequestration potential of Atlantic Forest reforestations, both in the field and in the available scientific literature. We demonstrate that the Atlantic Forest reforestations provide valuable contributions to climate change mitigation. Even at young age, reforestations have astonishing potential, with much higher carbon sequestration rates than un-assisted natural regeneration of later successional stages. Although with lesser potential, un-assisted natural regeneration remnants can also be a valuable strategy to aid climate mitigation, especially when close to reforestations or old-growth forests. We found far greater potential of sequestration in all types of forests inside protected areas than unprotected ones, highlighting the noteworthy benefits of conservation that buffers degradation. Climate action is urgent, and the Atlantic Forest certainly is a great contributor to the achievement of such ambitious goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern oil reservoirs exhibit high macro-scale heterogeneity, i.e., presence of shales and clays, which complicate the implementation of conventional enhanced oil recovery (EOR) practices. Hence, there is a need to investigate new class of EOR methods which not only improve recovery of oil from reservoir but also reduce formation damage. Thus, in this study, synthetic smart brines of varying salinity were formulated to investigate carbon utilization in shaly-sandstone for oil recovery and sequestration applications. To prepare shaly-sandstone samples, shale content in sand varied between 0 and 25 wt%. The addition of shale reduced porosity and permeability of sand-packs, and porosity ~ 25 and permeability < 10 md were measured for a combination of 75% sand + 25% shale which were originally 38% and 692 md for 100% sand + 0% shale. The oil recovery experiments were performed at temperature ≈ 40 °C and ambient pressure. The impact of shale content was insignificant on CO2-based oil recovery resulting its value remained nearly constant (5–7%). Smart saline water (SSW) solutions were prepared through the dilution of formation water (FW) of typical oilfield salinity and used these SSW solutions in investigating shale swelling and interfacial tension with CO2. Compared to other SSW solutions, SSW-2 (1 part FW/9 part water: 1/10th of FW) demonstrated superior control on mitigating shale swelling (by 67%) and reduce interfacial tension (by 30%) when compared to FW. Moreover, it helped to mobilize higher amount of oil (50% OOIP) from sand-pack (80% sand + 20% shale) in which conventional water flood failed to perform, indicating its viability for EOR from heterogeneous reservoir. In addition, SSW solutions promoted use of carbonated (CO2-enriched) water injection for oil recovery from sandstone exhibiting high shale content of 20% as over 5–8% higher oil recovery was obtained compared to conventional water flooding. Comparative performance of water flooding, salinity water-alternating CO2 flooding and carbonated smart water injection in heterogeneous sandstone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in mitigating global climate change by forming massive carbon sinks. Their carbon stocks and stock changes need to be quantified for carbon budget balancing and international reporting schemes. However, direct sampling and biomass weighing may not always be possible for quantification studies conducted in large forests. In these cases, indirect methods that use forest inventory information combined with remote sensing data can be beneficial. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images offer numerous opportunities to researchers as freely distributed remote sensing data. This study aims to estimate the amount of total carbon stock (TCS) in forested lands of the Kizildag Forest Enterprise. To this end, the actual storage capacities of five carbon pools, i.e. above- and below-ground, deadwood, litter, and soil, were calculated using the indirect method based on ground measurements of 264 forest inventory plots. They were then associated with the backscattered values from Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 data in a Geographical Information System (GIS). Finally, TCS was separately modelled and mapped. The best regression model was developed using the HH polarization of ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 with an adjusted R2 of 0.78 (p < 0.05). According to the model, the estimated TCS was about 2 Mt for the entire forest, with an average carbon storage of 133 t ha−1. The map showed that the distribution of TCS was heterogenic across the study area. Carbon hotspots were mostly composed of pure stands of Anatolian black pine and mixed, over-mature stands of Lebanese cedar and Taurus fir. It was concluded that the total carbon stocks of forest ecosystems could be estimated using appropriate SAR images at acceptable accuracy levels for forestry purposes. The use of additional ancillary data may provide more delicate and reliable estimations in the future. Given the implications of this study, the spatiotemporal dynamics of carbon can be effectively controlled by forest management when coupled with easily accessible space-borne radar data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]