Quantifying terrestrial carbon sequestration potential from afforestation of marginal agricultural land in the Midwest Region of the U.S. (4685)
Authors:
X. Niu* - Penn State University
S.W. Duiker - Penn State University, UP, PA K. Davis - Penn State University, UP, PA
Abstract:
Landuse change has been recognized to have a significant impact on global carbon cycles. The Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) assesses the technical and economic carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of different land use changes within its region. The MRCSP region consists of seven states,
including MI, IN, OH, PA, KY, WV, and MD. The main goal of our component of this study is to quantify CSP from afforestation of marginal agricultural land
(MgAgLand). The State Soil Geographic database (STATSGO), combined with the USGS National Land Cover Database (NLCD), were used to identify and map the MgAgLand. Soil carbon stocks under current landuse were estimated using
STATSGO data. A simplified model was developed and applied to estimate
changes following afforestation in four terrestrial carbon sub-pools, namely tree and root biomass, forest floor, and soil organic carbon. The results suggest that the CSP rates range from 1817 to 2747 kg C/hectare/year. A total of 313 (or 623) Tg (1012 g) carbon can be sequestrated over 20-year (or 40-year) period, respectively.
Hot-spots for high CSP within this region were identified. This would provide fundamental information for best carbon managements and facilitate carbon credit trading in this region.
Speaker Information: Xianzeng Niu, Penn State University, 116 ASI BLDG., University Park, PA 16802; Phone: 814-863-7661; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 2:55 PM-5:15 PM Presentation Start: 2:55 PM
Keywords: Carbon sequestration potential; U.S. Midwest Region; Afforestation;
Marginal agricultural land