Potential for carbon sequestration in different biomes and CO2 emissions in soybean crop

Climate change is a growing concern worldwide. Indisputably, continuous anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) increasingly impact ecosystems, human life, and agricultural production. Strategies for climate change impact mitigation are as necessary as strategies for forest preservation, so these may continue acting as essential ecosystems which capture atmospheric carbon dioxide CO2. This study has a twofold objective. First, to analyze the primary CO2 emissions in Mato Grosso state soybean cultivation, one of the leading products of Brazilian agribusiness chains. Second, to determine the carbon sequestration potential in the different biomes of the states' macro-regions and check if the biomes' forested areas can mitigate GHG by neutralizing soy activity emissions, as mandated by local environmental laws. We collect soybean production data from around Mato Grosso, computing the crop areas, macro-regions, and biomes. The emissions of soybean production were calculated and compared with the carbon sequestration potential of the biomes without agricultural activities. The biomes and forest areas correspond to the preserved area by the Brazilian environmental preservation law. The results indicated that carbon sequestration by the biome areas was higher than CO2 emissions caused by anthropogenic activities during soybean cultivation and that environmental laws sufficed to mitigate such emissions. Soybean farmers must cooperate in adopting low-carbon agricultural practices, preserving the legal areas for future generations.

Automated summary

Climate change is a global concern, with increasing impacts from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on ecosystems, human life, and agriculture. This study focused on analyzing CO2 emissions from soybean cultivation in Mato Grosso state, a major product of Brazilian agribusiness chains, and determining the carbon sequestration potential of the biomes in different macro-regions. The results showed that the carbon sequestration by the biomes exceeded the emissions from soybean cultivation, and environmental laws were sufficient to mitigate such emissions. It is important for soybean farmers to adopt low-carbon agricultural practices and preserve the legally protected areas for future generations.