International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Harshavardhana NR, Raghavendra S, Vishavjit Kumar, Manu SM, Javeria Anwarkhan Bagewadi, Sathish BN, Roopashree DH and Nitish Kumar LS

abstract
Soil plays a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle, acting both as a reservoir and regulator of atmospheric carbon. As the largest terrestrial carbon sink, soils store nearly three times more carbon than the atmosphere, making them critical for climate change mitigation. This review synthesizes the role of soil carbon sequestration (SCS) in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Soil organic carbon (SOC), estimated at 1526 PgC, and soil inorganic carbon (SIC), around 940 PgC, represent substantial pools that can be enhanced through sustainable land management. Practices such as conservation agriculture, residue retention, and agroforestry contribute to SOC stabilization, while pedogenic carbonate formation in arid zones enhances SIC storage. However, the sequestration potential is influenced by soil type, climate, nutrient availability, and land-use changes. Loamy and clay soils exhibit higher sequestration capacity compared to sandy soils, but saturation thresholds and reversibility limit long-term storage. Moreover, the trade-offs between carbon sequestration and non-CO? GHG emissions, particularly methane (CH?) and nitrous oxide (N?O), highlight the complexity of soil-climate interactions. Advances in measurement techniques including isotopic tracing, eddy covariance, and remote sensing—have improved monitoring accuracy, though challenges remain in verification and scalability. Overall, soil carbon sequestration offers a cost-effective, nature-based solution for mitigating climate change while enhancing soil fertility, water retention, and ecosystem services. Yet, it should be pursued as a complementary strategy alongside direct emission reductions to achieve sustainable climate goals and the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 targets.