Land management
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Carbon sequestration
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing, removing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This can be done by using technology, but nature also provides many biological options for storing carbon. Vegetation and forests, soil, and our oceans all act as natural “carbon sinks.”
sequester
verb | sih-KWESS-ter
to set apart, seclude, or withdraw.
A 2022 study demonstrated that about 20% of the world’s soil carbon is stored in the top metre of Canadian soils, much of that in boggy peatlands in northern Ontario and Manitoba. Canadian forests store around 6% of all the carbon stored in the world’s forests. [16]
Source: visualcapitalist.com
Soil
Common as dirt. Treated like dirt. Dirt cheap.
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Our everyday phrases sure don’t place a lot of value on the minerals and organic matter beneath our feet. In fact, they seem to have done dirt, well… dirty. But humble soil plays a vital role in supporting all life on Earth.
What is soil?
The exact makeup of soil varies widely by region and environmental conditions,
but the basics are the same:
A healthy soil has a balance of organisms, efficient nutrient cycling, favourable conditions for root growth, good drainage and adequate moisture for crop growth. Soil can help prevent flooding and erosion by holding water, and can help protect the groundwater by filtering out pollutants. [18]
How does the climate affect
our soil quality?
Did you know that soil can be a carbon super-saver?
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. The carbon is stored throughout the plant, including in its roots within the soil. [20]
When a plant dies, the decomposing tissues turn into a dark, organic, carbon-rich matter known as “humus.” Eventually, the carbon compounds within are broken down by microbes, which then release the carbon back into the atmosphere.
Carbon can also be stored in the soil in the form of inorganic compounds, such as carbonate minerals. While soil organic matter can store carbon for decades, carbonates can store carbon for more than 70,000 years. [21]
The way we use and manage our soil has the potential to significantly affect our environment. Clearing forests, for example, not only takes away vegetation that could sequester carbon from the atmosphere—it also releases carbon stored within previously forested soils and reduces their capacity to store carbon in the future. [22]
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For land that has already been converted to agriculture use, implementing best management practices (BMPs) can enhance soil health, improve the soil’s ability to serve as a carbon sink, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote resilience to weather extremes. [23]
Cropland management and avoided grassland conversion hold the greatest potential for carbon sequestration in agriculture and grasslands. [24]
Best practices for soil health
Here are some highlights of environmentally sustainable agriculture practices, known as “Best Management Practices,” or BMPs, defined by the Government of Ontario. [25]
These crops are planted to provide cover for the soil in fields that would otherwise be bare, such as after cash crops have been harvested. Cover crops can help protect soil from wind and water erosion, add organic matter to the soil, increase biodiversity and help control pests, diseases and weeds.
Ontario has also worked with stakeholders and members of the Soil Health Working Group to create a provincial soil strategy to help grow and sustain our strong agricultural sector, while protecting the environment and adapting to a changing climate. [26]
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Case study: The value of topsoil
Location: Bruce County
Year: 2020
Project leads: Local producer; Farm & Food Care Ontario
Climate-related issues: Wind; extreme rainfall
Challenges: Eroded knolls, rebuilding organic matter, minimizing topsoil erosion, maximizing nutrient efficiency
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Actions taken: No-till/strip-till, cover crops, nutrient application, crop rotation
One farm in Bruce County has grown corn, soybeans and wheat in a three-crop rotation since the early 2000s. Movement of topsoil and general soil health has always been a concern and resulted in added input costs over the years. The farmer implemented several BMPs to promote soil health:
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Rotation: Moved from a corn-soy rotation to a four-crop rotation including corn, soy, wheat, and cover crops.
Cover crops: Applied after wheat, including a mix of oats, cereal rye, and clover.
No-till/strip-till: The farm went no-till in the early 2000s. In 2008, they switched to strip-tilling.
Altered nutrient use: Biosolids are applied to cover crops, providing nutrients that carry over to corn and soy.
Photo credit: striptillfarmer.com
The no-till system had the biggest impact on the farmer's soil. It kept the soil in place and improved water infiltration.
“My ground is firm but not solid, there are less stones to pick, and I believe I can start planting earlier,” the farmer said. “I also have less weed pressure, which reduces herbicide costs, and
the earthworm population has gone up too.”
Spotlight on ALUS
Where agriculture and nature meet
ALUS (originally standing for Alternative Land Use Services) is a charitable organization that helps farmers and rangers build nature-based solutions on their land to sustain agriculture and biodiversity.
ALUS has supported farmers in planting native trees and shrubs on marginal or uneconomic areas of their lands. Their science-based programs are developed by the community and delivered by farmers.
The expertise, resources, and financial support provided by ALUS go towards:
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Community projects:
Committees made up of local farmers, community stakeholders, and other NGOs allow each community program to address specific local environmental challenges.
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Ecosystem services:
A network of more than 1,600 farmers in 38 communities, including Grey-Bruce, deliver ecosystem services such as cleaner air and water, carbon sequestration, erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, and habitats for pollinators and wildlife. [29]
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Innovation and technology:
Through tailored solutions including innovative technology, data infrastructures, and other tools, ALUS captures information about the benefits of ecosystem projects including quantifying carbon sequestration, nutrient capture, and biodiversity benefits.
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The ALUS program was introduced to Grey and Bruce counties as a pilot project in 2012. In the decade since, the counties have embraced the ALUS program with positive results for both agriculture producers and the community at large.
Photo Credit: alus.ca
Some success stories of ALUS Grey-Bruce include a grain and oil seed producer located southeast of Port Elgin who planted trees on sandy, unproductive areas of his land, reducing the amount of soil erosion on his farm. [30]
A bison farm in Shallow Lake worked to restore grassland across their 200-acre operation, creating a rich, thriving, sustainable ecosystem. [31]
Photo Credit: alus.ca
