Assess the impact of farming practises on the carbon budget? (20 marks)
The carbon budget is the difference between the inputs and outputs of carbon in a subsystem. A carbon sink is likely to have a positive carbon budget because it takes in more carbon than is released and vice versa for a carbon source.
One type of farming practise is arable farming. On the face of it, of this type of practise is deemed beneficial to the carbon budget. This is causing an increase in the planting of crops, will lead to an increase in the size of the
One type of farming practise is arable farming. On the face of it, this type of practise is deemed beneficial to the carbon budget. This is because an increase in the planting of crops, will lead to an increase in the size of the vegetation cover. Therefore, an increase in the magnitude of terrestrial plants, will lead to a higher rate of sequestration of carbon via photosynthesis. As a result, would take in more carbon than it releases hence a positive carbon budget.
However, the above benefits are gained once the crops have been planted. Prior to this, the previously forested land would have to be cleared and prepped for farming to take place. This would involve increased deforestation as trees are removed to make space. This reduces the magnitude of terrestrial plants, contributing to a negative carbon budget. In addition, before the seeds are planted, the land is ploughed. This is when combine harvesters are used to turn over the soil, to reveal more nutrient soil. Although, this exposes decomposers to the sun, which will lead to an increase in the rates of decomposition providing there are moist environments. An increase in the rate of decomposition will lead to a transfer of carbon to the atmosphere via respiration. As a result, decomposition has been the biggest source of carbon emissions in an agricultural environment.
Secondly, another type of farming practises pastoral farming. This is when cattle like dairy and beef cows are bred. These animals are carbon sources, and negative carbon budget, because they only ever produce carbon. One way this is done is through belching, where the burps of these animal’s releases carbon. Another way is when these animals are let out onto pasture fields to graze. In doing so, reduces the size of the vegetation cover, leading to a decrease in photosynthesis and leading to a negative carbon budget.
Overall, I think that farming practises are contributing to a negative carbon budget. This is because the growing season for crops is only six months in a given year in the UK. Though on a global scale is throughout the year, so a positive carbon budget. Although, and increasing the wealth of developing nations like India have seen a shift in diet to include more meat. This trend would be met in the long term and will continue to rise. Therefore, pastoral farming may outstrip arable farming of, thus lead to a net negative carbon budget in the long term on a global scale. However, in the UK, a local scale, will see a fool as the switch to a vegan diet increase.