Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The concentration of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases
(GHGs) in the atmosphere is increasing as a result of land
use change, besides fossil fuel combustion and cement
production. The increase in GHGs in the atmosphere is
leading to climate change and global warming. There is
a need to reduce GHGs emissions and to increase car-
bon sinks. Currently, the biosphere is considered to be a
carbon sink absorbing about 2.8 gigatonnes of C a year,
which represents 30% of fossil fuel emissions.
Increase in water-holding capacity due to organic
agriculture
% Increase over chemical
farming
Ecozones
Range
Mean
Arid
2-9
5.3
Semi-arid
3-16
7.2
Sub-humid
4-15
6.9
Humid
3-17
6.8
Increase in C buildup due to organic agriculture
Additional increase (μg g −1 )
Range
Mean
Ecozones
Arid
49-83
62.5
Semi-arid
57-98
71.9
Sub-humid
61-101
75.5
Humid
68-102
83.0
Changes in microbial biomass due to organic
agriculture
% Increase in microbial
biomass due to organic
agriculture
Agro
ecosystems
Range
Mean
Arid
2-33
15.8
Semi-arid
5-25
17.5
Sub-humid
7-28
16.9
Humid
8-30
17.6
 
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