Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture and Ecosystems: A Pathway to Climate Stability

Agricultural carbon sequestration is an important nature-based strategy for climate mitigation and soil health improvement. This review synthesizes key mechanisms, management practices, and limitations influencing carbon sequestration in agricultural systems. It examines how carbon inputs and stabilization processes regulate long-term SOC storage. Field evidence shows that conservation tillage, residue retention, diversified cropping systems, agroforestry, and biochar application can enhance SOC, but their effectiveness depends strongly on soil type, climate, management duration, and sampling depth. The review also discusses major limitations, including SOC saturation, greenhouse-gas trade-offs, variability in carbon accounting methods, and adoption constraints. Overall, integrated and site-specific management strategies are needed to improve long-term SOC storage while maintaining agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience.