• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Carbon sequestration in hedgerow biomass and soil in the temperate climate zone
  • Contributor: Drexler, Sophie [Author]; Gensior, Andreas [Author]; Don, Axel [Author]; Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Braunschweig, Germany [Author]
  • imprint: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2021-07-10
  • Language: English
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01798-8
  • Keywords: Climate-smart agriculture ; Soil organic matter ; Climate change mitigation ; Review ; Carbon storage ; Agroforestry
  • Origination:
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  • Description: Hedgerows are a traditional form of agroforestry in the temperate climate zone. The establishment of hedgerows may be a promising strategy to promote carbon (C) sinks for climate change mitigation. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis compiling data from 83 sites on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks beneath hedgerows in comparison with adjacent croplands and grasslands, plus biomass data from 64 hedgerows. On average (± SD), the establishment of hedgerows on cropland increased SOC stocks by 32 ± 23 %. No significant differences were found between the SOC stocks of hedgerows and those of grassland. The average above-ground biomass stock was 47 ± 29 Mg C ha−1. Only one study reported measurements of below-ground biomass stocks and root/shoot ratios. Based on these measurements, an average below-ground biomass stock of 44 ± 28 Mg C ha−1 was estimated, but with high uncertainty. In total, hedgerows were estimated to store 104 ± 42 Mg ha−1 more C than croplands, with biomass contributing 84 % (87 ± 40 Mg C ha−1) and soil 16 % (17 ± 12 Mg C ha−1) to this amount. Total C sequestration with the establishment of hedgerows on cropland could be between 2.1 and 5.2 Mg ha−1 year−1 for a period of 50 and 20 years, respectively. Our results indicate that C stocks in hedgerows are on average comparable to estimates for forests. The establishment of hedgerows, especially on cropland, can therefore be an effective option for C sequestration in agricultural landscapes while enhancing biodiversity and soil protection. ; Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei (4249)
  • Access State: Open Access
  • Rights information: Attribution (CC BY)