Open AccessEffects of biochar application on fluxes of three biogenic greenhouse gases: a meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Song Xinzhang,
Pan Genxing,
Zhang Chao,
Zhang Lu,
Wang Hailong
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
ecosystem health and sustainability
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 21
ISSN - 2332-8878
DOI - 10.1002/ehs2.1202
Subject(s) - biochar , greenhouse gas , husk , environmental science , amendment , charcoal , environmental chemistry , chemistry , pyrolysis , ecology , organic chemistry , political science , law , biology
Biochar application to cropland has been recommended as a strategy to reduce increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentrations and mitigate climate change. However, the direction and magnitude of responses of greenhouse gas ( GHG ) fluxes to biochar application to cropland remain unclear. Our meta‐analysis of 296 observations across 61 studies for the first time quantitatively estimated the effects of biochar amendment on fluxes of three GHG s CO 2 , N 2 O, and CH 4 . The results showed that biochar application led to a significant change in soil GHG s emissions: in general, 19% for CO 2 , −16% for N 2 O ( P < 0.05), but no pronounced change in CH 4 emissions; in paddy, −5% for CO 2 , −20% for N 2 O, but +19% for CH 4 ( P < 0.05); in upland, −18% for N 2 O, +12% for CO 2 , and high uncertainty for CH 4 . The responses of soil GHG fluxes to biochar application were regulated mainly by experiment length, biochar application rate, biochar properties, providing a new perspective for more comprehensive understanding on biochar. The biochar derived from husk was recommended to apply to cropland with an application rate of 20–30 t·ha −1 .