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Soil CO 2 –C Emissions and Correlations with Soil Properties in Degraded and Managed Pastures in Southern Brazil
Author(s) -
Figueiredo Eduardo Barretto de,
Panosso Alan Rodrigo,
Bordonal Ricardo de Oliveira,
Teixeira Daniel De Bortoli,
Berchielli Telma Teresinha,
La Scala Newton
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.2524
Subject(s) - environmental science , pasture , bulk density , soil texture , cation exchange capacity , soil water , soil science , porosity , soil ph , agronomy , hydrology (agriculture) , chemistry , geology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , biology
Land degradation has been a global environmental issue, and its cause includes poorly managed grazing. Quantitative information is needed to support policy actions for food and water security and development. The objective of this study was to assess and characterize CO 2 –C emissions in degraded (DP) and managed pasture (MP) areas located close to one another, describing their spatial–temporal variability and any correlation with possible controlling factors. A grid of 100 × 100 m with 102 sample points in each area was set up. Measurements of CO 2 –C emission (FCO 2 ), soil temperature ( T soil ), soil water content (WC soil ), soil physical (i.e. soil texture, soil bulk density, macro‐porosity, micro‐porosity, air‐filled pore space and total pore volume) and chemical (i.e. pH, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and cation exchange capacity) analysis were conducted at each sample point. Total emissions calculated from the area below the FCO 2 graphs were 640.7 and 440.0 kg CO 2 –C ha −1 in the DP and MP, respectively. Soil temperature in the MP was lower ( t ‐test, p < 0.01) throughout the experimental period when compared with the DP. This study found that the degraded pasture area released significantly more CO 2 –C compared with the well‐managed pasture. Therefore, the introduction of best management practices in pasture areas is an important strategy to reduce soil CO 2 –C losses and promote soil C accumulation. The MP presented lower FCO 2 despite its higher soil C stock, indicating a more stable soil C condition when compared with the DP area. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.