Verified Carbon Standard approved methodology for quantifying and monitoring changes in soil carbon and emissions from soils as well as from other greenhouse gas sources affected by Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) projects. This methodology was developed by The Earth Partners. It is applicable to agricultural land management projects, such as those including the following management practice changes:
- agricultural practices,
- grassland and rangeland restorations,
- soil carbon protection and accrual benefits from reductions in erosion,
- grassland protection projects and treatments that improve the diversity and productivity of grassland and savanna plant communities.
Verified Carbon Standard
2012
Verified Carbon Standard approved methodology, was developed by Michigan State University, to quantify reductions of nitrous oxide emissions from cropland fertilizer management practices. It applies to projects in the United States focused on increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer using verifiable best management practices for the specific crop, soil and environmental conditions of the project site.
Verified Carbon Standard
2013
Verified Carbon Standard approved methodology was developed by Soils for the Future to guide quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and removals from projects that introduce sustainable adjustment of the density of grazing animals and the frequency of prescribed fires into an uncultivated grassland landscape. The methodology demonstrates how to determine additional carbon offsets from soil sequestration and/or reduction in methane emissions from changing the frequency of fires, the density of grazing animals, and/or introducing new grassland species as forage for grazing animals or in order to restore degraded soils.
Verified Carbon Standard
2015
This methodology includes the use of a genetically distinct type of seed for crops that utilize nitrogen more efficiently (“Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) seed”) and requires less fertilizer than conventional seeds. The reduction of fertilizer use will lower nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions that are a result of nitrification and denitrification in the soil. This methodology enables project proponents to calculate reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the use of the NUE seed. By reducing the amount of fertilizer required to sustain yields of regular seed, N2O emissions are reduced.
UNFCCC
2014
This methodology comprises technology/measures that reduce anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in rice cropping soils, which reduce the generation of methane. The methodology includes projects such as:
- farms that change the water regime during the cultivation period from continuously to intermittent flooded conditions and/or a shortened period of flooded conditions;
- alternate wetting and drying method along with aerobic rice cultivation methods (see IRRI Water Management);
- farms that change rice cultivation practice from transplanted to direct seeded rice.
UNFCCC
2014
Moving from conventional farming to conservation cropping can increase carbon sequestered in the soil. This protocol specifically quantifies greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from new carbon stored annually in agricultural soil, lower nitrous oxide emissions from soils under no-till management, and associated emission reductions from reduced fossil fuel use from fewer passes per farm field. This protocol is written for project developers and farm operators who wish to implement conservation cropping offset projects in Dry Prairie and Parkland ecozones.
Alberta Environment and Water – Climate Change Secretariat
2012
This study investigated higher biological nitrification inhibition occurrence resulting from bovine urine patches. Researchers used field plots of two tropical forage grass cultivars. The study quantified nitrification rates, amoA gene copy numbers of ammonia oxidizing archaea, and denitrification potential. Additionally, N2O emissions and water patches were monitored over a 29-day period. Researchers conclude that tropical forage grasses with high BNI capacity play a key role in mitigating N2O emissions from bovine urine patches in archaea-dominated soils.
Byrnes R, Nùñez J, Arenas L, Rao I, Trujillo C, Alvarez C, Arango J, Rasche F, Chirinda N
2017
Soil Biology and Biochemsitry
The ability to suppress soil nitrification through the release of nitrification inhibitors from plant roots is termed ‘biological nitrification inhibition’ (BNI). This study quantified and characterized the BNI function in sorghum that includes inhibitor production, their chemical identity, functionality and factors regulating their release.
Subbarao G, Nakahara K, Ishikawa T, Ono H, Yoshida M, Yoshihashi T, Zhu Y, Zakir H, Deshpande S, Hash C, Sahrawat K
2013
Plant and Soil
The objective of this study was to understand which agroforestry systems provide the greatest benefits, and what are the main factors influencing, soil and above ground carbon sequestration. Data was collected from a total of 86 published and peer reviewed studies on soil and above ground carbon sequestration for different agroforestry systems, climates and regions in the world.
Feliciano D, Dedo A, Hillier J, Nayak D
2018
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
This paper discusses the capability of biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) to control soil-nitrifier activity and improve nitrogen-cycling in agricultural systems. Transformative biological technologies can help reduce GHG emissions and globally make farming nitrogen efficient and less harmful to the environment.
Subbarao G, Arango J, Masahiro K, Hooper A, Yoshihashi T, et al.
2017
Plant Science
