Carbon Considerations : Biochar, Biomass, Biopower & Sequestration

Widespread concern about global climate change has led to interest in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and, under certain circumstances, in counting additional carbon absorbed in soils and vegetation as part of the emissions reductions. Congress may consider options to increase the carbon stored (sequestered) in forests as it debates this and related issues. Forests are a significant part of the global carbon cycle. Plants use sunlight to convert CO2, water, and nutrients into sugars and carbohydrates, which accumulate in leaves, twigs, stems, and roots. Plants also respire, releasing CO2. Plants eventually die, releasing their stored carbon to the atmosphere quickly or to the soil where it decomposes slowly and increases soil carbon levels. Little information exists on the processes and diverse rates of soil carbon change. This book examines basic questions concerning carbon sequestration with a focus on biochar for soil fertility and natural carbon sequestration in forests; and biomass feedstocks for biopower.