Carbon sequestration in soils

The purpose of this article is to examine (a) the magnitude of the potential for carbon sequestration in the soil as a means of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, (b) some of the measures that might be used to achieve this potential, (c) the methods available for estimating carbon sequestration on a farm or regional level, (d) what is needed to achieve international consensus, and (e) additional information needs. This article is not presented as a definitive document but rather as an overview of where scientific opinion converges and where more work is needed. In addition, it aims to provoke discussion of the measures that can increase soil carbon sequestration and the policies that might be used to implement those measures. On May 21–22, 1998, the Soil and Water Conservation Society conducted a workshop on carbon sequestration in soils with a broad group of scientists, policy analysts, and practitioners. Workshop participants reviewed and discussed the original draft of this paper. This version reflects modifications from the workshop. One of the goals of this article is to provide a more definitive consensus on the extent to which carbon sequestration in soil can contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation and …