Land-use Change and Deep-Soil Carbon Distribution on the Brazilian Amazon-Cerrado Agricultural Frontier

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to land-use change and carbon dynamics in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado regions.

Land-use change (LUC)

Alterations in how land is utilized, especially from natural ecosystems to agricultural areas, impacting carbon stocks.

Carbon stocks

The amount of carbon stored in soil and vegetation, important for understanding greenhouse gas emissions.

Deep-soil profiles

Layers of soil that extend significantly below the surface, often containing carbon that is less affected by immediate land-use changes.

Water-extractable carbon (WEC)

A fraction of carbon in soil that can be dissolved in water, used as an indicator of soil health.

Mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM)

Organic materials in soil that are bound to minerals, crucial for long-term carbon storage.

Particulate organic matter (POM)

Organic materials in soil that remain intact as small particles, contributing to soil carbon content.

Agricultural intensification

The process of increasing agricultural productivity through enhanced inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and improved farming practices.

Double cropping

Growing two crops in the same field during a single growing season, enhancing land use efficiency.

Oxisols

A category of soils characterized by a high degree of weathering that is typically found in tropical regions such as the Brazilian Amazon.

Soil texture

The composition of soil based on the size of its particles, significantly affecting water and nutrient retention.

C stock change

Variations in the amount of carbon stored in soil over time, influenced by factors such as land-use practices and soil management.

Amazon-Cerrado transition

A region in Brazil where two major ecosystems meet, often experiencing significant land-use changes.

Pasture expansion

The increase in land dedicated to grazing livestock, often leading to deforestation and changes in carbon storage.

Soil organic carbon (SOC)

Carbon that is part of the organic matter in soil, vital for soil health and fertility.

Isotopic composition (δ13C)

The ratio of stable carbon isotopes, used to trace the sources of carbon in soil.

Fazenda Tanguro

The study site in Brazil where soil sampling for this research was conducted.

Kasa method

A specific analytical technique used to determine the concentration of soil components, including C fractions.

Deforested land (RD)

Areas where forest cover has been removed, leading to significant changes in soil properties and carbon emissions.

Carbon emissions

Release of carbon, particularly in the form of CO2, into the atmosphere due to land-use changes, agriculture, and other practices.

Clay content

The proportion of fine soil particles in soil composition, influencing soil's physical and chemical properties.

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO2 and storing it in the soil, essential for climate change mitigation.