Potential of soil carbon sequestration and organic matter dynamics in degraded pastures in Brazil

Author(s)

Daniele Costa de Oliveira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2018-03-08

Examining board members

Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri; Maurício Roberto Cherubin; Stoécio Malta Ferreira Maia; Rafael Otto

• Advisor: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri

Abstract

Pastures are the main land use in the world, occupying two-thirds of the world\'s arable land and three quarters of agricultural areas of Brazil. When well-managed, pastures have a high capacity to store SOC, but they may lose up to 50 % of stock SOC when in an advanced stage of degradation. The objective of this work was to quantify the potential of carbon sequestration and to evaluate soil organic matter dynamics in the conversion of degraded pastures to well-managed in Brazil. We evaluated changes in stocks SOC in pastures in Brazil through a meta-analysis, determining the management factors and the rates of stocks SOC changes in different pasture status. In seven cronossequences located in Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade (MT), Nova Xavantina (MT), Conquista D\'Oeste (MT), Dueré (TO), Carmolândia (TO) and Paraíso (TO) were determined the changes in the quantity and quality of soil organic matter (SOM). C and N stocks and rates of local variations were determined. The quality of the SOM was evaluated through isotopic analysis, physical fractionation, C management index (CMI), degree of humification (HFIL) and C content in microbial biomass (MB-C). Through the meta-analysis it was estimated that in Brazil degraded pastures present a reduction of stocks SOC of 0.13 Mg ha-1 year -1. Nominal pastures were able to increase stock SOC, while improved pastures did not always maintain stocks similar to native vegetation. The recovery of pastures promotes the accumulation of C in the soil at the rate of 0.40 Mg ha-1 year -1. Meeting the recovery goal of 30 million ha of pasture will result in the accumulation of 12 Tg C ha-1year -1. The degradation of pastures in the states of Mato Grosso and Tocantins reduces C stocks in the soil at a rate of 0.06 Mg C ha-1 year-1. While the recovery of degraded pastures has the potential to increase C stocks in the soil with rate of 0.12 Mg C ha-1 year-1. In the pastures evaluated, about 54% of the C originates from the cultivated grasses. The organic fraction was the most sensitive to LUC, promoting the decrease of C stocks in this fraction. Pasture implantation has a negative impact on SOM quality, with a reduction in the CMI of up to 70%; however, if managed well, the CMI of pastures may be higher than that of native vegetation. The MB-C and degree of humification were not altered after the implantation or the recovery of the pastures. Changes in C stocks in SOM fractions and CMI were the most efficient indicators of changes in SOM quality in pastures. The recovery of degraded pastures promotes an increase in C stock in the soil and an improvement in the quality of the MOS. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/21273-8 - Potential of sequestration carbon in soil and organic matter dynamics in degraded pastures in Brazil
• Grantee: Daniele Costa de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate