Soil Carbon Management

This book highlights the significant economic, environmental, and societal benefits that result from land management practices that maintain or increase soil carbon (C). Each chapter poses a problem or set of problems and then describes how effective soil C management can help to solve these problems. The book explores the potential for agricultural soils to generate soil C credits that could be traded in the broader greenhouse gas credit market, uses an economic metric where possible to determine the broader value of activities that increase soil C sequestration, and describes the benefits of farm programs that reduce soil erosion, improve air and water quality, and mitigate global warming.

J. M. Kimble, C. W. Rice, D. Reed, S. Mooney, R. F. Follett, R. Lal

Soil Carbon Management: Economic, Environmental, and Societal Benefits. Economic and Societal Benefits of Soil Carbon Management: Policy Implications and Recommendations. On-Farm Benefits of Carbon Management: The Farmers' Perspectives. Private and Public Values from Soil Carbon Management. Economic and Societal Benefits of Soil Carbon Management: Cropland and Grazing Land Systems. Organic Farming Enhances Soil Carbon and Its Benefits. Benefits of Soil Organic Carbon to Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of Soil. Soil Physical Properties and Erosion. Wetlands and Global Carbon. Wildlife Benefits. Soil Carbon and the Mitigation of the Risks of Flooding. Environmental and Ecological Benefits of Soil Carbon Management: Surface Water Quality. Urban Lands and Carbon Management. Prairies, Savannas, and Forests and Global Carbon Management-The Challenges. Index.