Soil carbon storage in Brazilian drylands: A review

Author(s):Show less -

Greschuk, Lucas T. ; Villela, Joao M. ; Maia, Stoecio Malta Ferreira ; Pinheiro Junior, Carlos Roberto ; Tonucci, Rafael G. ; Signord, Diana ; Frazao, Leidivan A. ; Lima, Antonio Yan Viana ; Canisares, Lucas P. ; Queiroz, Hermano Melo ; Cerri, Carlos E. P. ; Cherubin, Mauricio R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CATENA; v. 257, p. 12-pg., 2025-09-01.

Abstract

Agricultural systems that promote soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration need to be implemented to mitigate climate change. The scientific literature indicates that integrated agricultural systems (IASs) can increase SOC stocks across various regions globally. However, information on the influence of IASs on SOC stock in Brazilian drylands is still scarce. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of land use and climate classes on SOC stock and total nitrogen (TN) stock in the Brazilian drylands. Forty-eight studies were selected to extract data on SOC and TN stocks in croplands, pasturelands, IASs, and native vegetation. A linear mixed model was used to assess the effect of land use and climate classes on SOC stock and TN stock. SOC stocks (0-50 cm) were higher (p < 0.05) in native vegetation (86.6 Mg C ha(-1)), IASs (87.6 Mg C ha(-1)), and pasturelands (78.2 Mg C ha(-1)) than in croplands (60.3 Mg C ha(-1)). The IASs had the lowest TN stocks, possibly due to the high input of residues with a high C/N ratio from forestry components. Less literature data is available for IASs regarding SOC stock and TN stock than for other land uses. In conclusion, the adoption of IASs shows potential to mitigate SOC losses, but caution is advised when extrapolating our numerical findings due to the limited data availability in the Brazilian drylands. This review highlights the importance of combining land use and climate class analyses to design targeted strategies for enhancing SOC accrual and promoting resilience in Brazilian drylands. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/23520-4 - Land cost for sugarcane ethanol production in Brazil
• Grantee: Carlos Roberto Pinheiro Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 24/07837-8 - INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON SOIL CARBON STORAGE IN BRAZILIAN DRYLANDS
• Grantee: Lucas Tadeu Greschuk
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON)
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 23/11337-8 - Effect of land use change and sugarcane management practices on soil C, soil health and associated ecosystem services: an evidence synthesis
• Grantee: Carlos Roberto Pinheiro Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/00438-8 - Soil carbon sequestration under integrated agricultural systems in Brazilian drylands
• Grantee: Lucas Tadeu Greschuk
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 23/09533-3 - Selection of potential areas and pasture management practices for carbon sequestration in Brazilian soil through mathematical modeling
• Grantee: João Marcos Villela
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors