Scientific Reports (Dec 2017)

Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration by agroforestry systems in southeastern Brazil

  • Carlos Moreira Miquelino Eleto Torres,
  • Laércio Antônio Gonçalves Jacovine,
  • Sílvio Nolasco de Olivera Neto,
  • Clyde William Fraisse,
  • Carlos Pedro Boechat Soares,
  • Fernando de Castro Neto,
  • Lino Roberto Ferreira,
  • José Cola Zanuncio,
  • Pedro Guilherme Lemes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16821-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems can increase carbon sequestration, offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce the carbon footprint generated by animal production. The objective of this study was to estimate GHG emissions, the tree and grass aboveground biomass production and carbon storage in different agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems in southeastern Brazil. The number of trees required to offset these emissions were also estimated. The GHG emissions were calculated based on pre-farm (e.g. agrochemical production, storage, and transportation), and on-farm activities (e.g. fertilization and machinery operation). Aboveground tree grass biomass and carbon storage in all systems was estimated with allometric equations. GHG emissions from the agroforestry systems ranged from 2.81 to 7.98 t CO2e ha−1. Carbon storage in the aboveground trees and grass biomass were 54.6, 11.4, 25.7 and 5.9 t C ha−1, and 3.3, 3.6, 3.8 and 3.3 t C ha−1 for systems 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The number of trees necessary to offset the emissions ranged from 17 to 44 trees ha−1, which was lower than the total planted in the systems. Agroforestry systems sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and can help the GHG emission-reduction policy of the Brazilian government.