Increasing the Amount of Biomass in Field Crops for Carbon Sequestration and Plant Biomass Enhancement Using Biochar

The agricultural sector, especially in developing countries, is vulnerable to the effects of climate change partially caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural areas. Field crops are capable of bio-sequestration in its aboveground and belowground biomass. Incorporating biochar as a soil amendment increases its potential to become an important bio-sequestration which makes the agricultural sector a key contributor to climate change mitigation. This chapter discussed and presented data obtained from research on biochar using to increase plant biomass for carbon sequestration purposes. The biochar was produced from cassava stems by pyrolysis using a patented retort that was especially designed for agriculturalists to produce a low-cost biochar for their own use. The ability to increase biomass of field crops for carbon sequestration is crucial towards reducing the GHG emissions. This research also shed light on an innovative agricultural method, in comparison to traditional farming, that leads to sustainable agriculture in the long run. The biochar research is also a way to transfer research knowledge from laboratory to practical use

Biochar

This book is intended to provide basic information and an overview of emerging researchable issues related to the use of biochar for mitigating climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, and food security in a sustainable manner. We have aimed to compile information from diverse sources into a single volume and provide comprehensive information and analysis on biochar production technology and its implications in agriculture. This book represents basic and applied knowledge and acts as a vital tool for scientists, policymakers, and students working for global sustainability

Post-fire ecological restoration in Latin American forest ecosystems: insights and lessons from the last two decades

Wildfires are responsible for a substantial loss of forest ecosystem services globally and represent a major driving force of forest degradation across Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC). The detrimental effect of forest fires is particularly relevant in regions where fire has been historically absent or has rarely occurred. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest to promote and develop ecological restoration (ER) following fire. LAC constitutes a hotspot where work and interest in ER has been steadily increasing over the last decades, mainly due to the drive of a new generation of young and experienced ecologists and foresters. Despite the increasing attention in post-fire restoration in the region, there is a dearth of initiatives compiling and organizing all the available information on this topic. This work aims to address such constraint, providing current information on post-fire ER in LAC forests. After a brief contextualization of environmental and social consequences of wildfires, we collect and discuss recent advances on restoring degraded forests. From the conifer Mexican ecosystems to the Southern Patagonian evergreen forests, we look back over the last two decades (2000–2020) mainly discussing experiences of success and failure, as well as limitations of implementing approaches based on passive/natural restoration or active/assisted restoration. Furthermore, we also explore other aspects of the restoration process, including those related to social participation and community engagement (e.g. education in restored areas), the use of fire regulation and management to reduce fire risks and increase ecosystem resilience, educational aspects and intermediate approaches as agroforestry and silviculture practices. In the last sections, we identify three major categories of specific constraints that condition ER, including environmental limitations (biotic and abiotic factors), technical/management factors and the socio-economic challenge of restoration. Finally, we briefly discuss future perspectives for ER in LACPS was funded by the Regional Council of Education, University and Professional Training (Consellería de Educación, Universidade e Formación Profesional) from the Government of Galicia (Xunta de Galicia) through the Postdoctoral Plan “Axudas de apoio á etapa de formación posdoutoral nas universidades do Sistema universitario de Galicia”, (Ref - ED481B-2019-088). GS was funded by the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (Fondecyt Regular REF-1191905), and the “Fondo Interno para la Adquisición de Equipamiento Científico de la Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (FIAEC 2019). RG was funded by Fondecyt (REF - 11170516). RG, AP were funded by Grant ANID PIA/BASAL FB210006. AF was funded by CERNAS, Centro de Estudos de Recursos Naturais, Ambiente e Sociedade (FCT-UID00681-2020-2023)S

Climate Mitigation in the Least Carbon Emitting Countries : Dilemmas of Co-benefits in Cambodia and Laos

Development has entered a time where it cannot be thought of without reference to climate change. While historically development in the industrialized countries has to a great extent been driven by a fossil fuel based economy, this option is no longer seen as viable for developing countries, which are expected to pursue different pathways of development. At the same time, the impacts of a changing climate affect the poorest countries and populations disproportionately, and multilateral policy declarations signed by most countries underline that there must be an effort to prevent and mitigate this. The effects of climate change onto development policies and practice is also reflected in donor countries’ change in perception. Donor countries have begun increasingly integrating climate change objectives into development cooperation programmes and official development assistance (ODA). While significant in terms of discontinuing support to fossil fuels and attempting to increase resilience, this trend also brings into the fore new dilemmas. The main dilemma which emerges – and is explored further in this book – is when development cooperation finance is used in the least developed countries for projects and policies which are principally oriented towards climate change mitigation.This e-book has been carried out under the COOL-project (Adequacy of Climate Change Mitigation Initiatives in Laos and Cambodia: Comparing Options and Analysing Obstacles in Local Context), a commissioned research funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Climate Mitigation in the Least Carbon Emitting Countries – Dilemmas of Co-benefits in Cambodian and Laos

Development has entered a time where it cannot be thought of without reference to climate change. While historically development in the industrialized countries has to a great extent been driven by a fossil fuel based economy, this option is no longer seen as viable for developing countries, which are expected to pursue different pathways of development. At the same time, the impacts of a changing climate affect the poorest countries and populations disproportionately, and multilateral policy declarations signed by most countries underline that there must be an effort to prevent and mitigate this. The effects of climate change onto development policies and practice is also reflected in donor countries&rsquo; change in perception. Donor countries have begun increasingly integrating climate change objectives into development cooperation programmes and official development assistance (ODA). While significant in terms of discontinuing support to fossil fuels and attempting to increase resilience, this trend also brings into the fore new dilemmas. The main dilemma which emerges &ndash; and is explored further in this book &ndash; is when development cooperation finance is used in the least developed countries for projects and policies which are principally oriented towards climate change mitigation.</span