Soil Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change Mitigation: Pathways for Sustainable Agriculture

ABSTRACT

Climate change poses a serious threat to global food security, primarily through rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation. Soil, as the largest terrestrial carbon pool, plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration. This study aims to evaluate the potential of various soil and crop management practices to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural systems. Field experiments will be conducted in selected agro-ecological zones, employing practices such as conservation tillage, crop residue retention, organic amendments, and biochar application. Soil samples will be analyzed for organic carbon content, bulk density, and nutrient availability, while gas flux measurements will assess CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emissions. Data were statistically analyzed to determine the relationship between management practices, SOC accumulation, and crop productivity. The study outcomes include identification of sustainable soil management techniques that significantly increase SOC while maintaining or improving yield performance. These findings will contribute to formulating effective strategies for climate-smart agriculture, with implications for carbon credit programs and environmental policy development. This research emphasizes the dual benefits of soil carbon sequestration: enhancing soil fertility and mitigating climate change. It highlights a pathway toward resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, particularly relevant for developing countries like Pakistan, where agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate variability.

 

 

Keywords: Soil carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture,

Conservation tillage, soil health