Category: Carbon footprint
Biochar increases soil organic carbon, avocado yields and economic return over 4 years of cultivation
The use of biochar in avocado orchard soils has not yet been investigated in rigorous scientific experiments. We determine the effect of wood biochar on avocado growth, fruit production and economic benefit. Biochar was applied at 0%, 5%, 10% and 20% volume by volume basis. Biochar significantly improved the growth of avocado seedlings and increased fruit yield in the first three years after planting. There was an overall increase in soil carbon, fruit yield, tree diameter and height in all biochar
Long term changes in soil properties and enzyme activities after almond shell mulching in avocado organic production
The recycling of almond shell as mulch would allow avocado orchards to be managed organically, maintaining plant yield and improving soil conditions simultaneously. This study aims to analyze the long term effects of successive applications of almond shell as mulching for organically grown avocado. Effects on soil properties, enzyme activities and soil carbon storage as well as avocado yield and growth were studied in comparison to no-tillage conventionally managed (using mineral fertilizers and
Environmental and social consequences of the increase in the demand for 'superfoods' world-wide
The search for healthy diets has led to a surge in the demand for functional foods or 'superfoods', which have now become popular among the middle- and high-income fractions of the society in developed regions of the world. 'Superfoods' are predominantly consumed far from their centres of origin and out of their cultural context with different environmental and social effects. Here, we present a series of case studies to provide an overview of the different environmental impacts driven by superfood
Carbon and water footprinting of avocado production in New Zealand
"The avocado sector in New Zealand is growing rapidly and is driven particularly by demand in overseas markets. To develop a better understanding of the environmental impacts associated with the New Zealand avocado supply chain, an environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was undertaken of this sector, focusing on climate change and water use.
For the carbon footprint, it was found that fertiliser production and use, and fuel use, dominated the climate change impact category for orchard activities.
For the carbon footprint, it was found that fertiliser production and use, and fuel use, dominated the climate change impact category for orchard activities.
Carbon Removal in Forests and Farms in the United States
The purpose of this working paper is to explore the potential for carbon removal in forests and farms in the United States, to identify needs likely to arise on the pathway to large-scale deployment, and to consider ways to begin addressing those needs. This working paper is part of a World Resources Institute (WRI) publication series CarbonShot: Creating Options for Carbon Removal at Scale in the United States. The series presents findings from a WRI-led assessment of needs for scaling candidate
Carbon content in vegetation, litter, and soil under 10 different land-use and land-cover classes in the Central Highlands of Michoacan, Mexico
In this study we estimated the carbon content in vegetation, litter, and soil, under 10 different classes of land-use and land-cover classes (LU/LC) in the Purepecha Region, located in the Central Highlands of Mexico. Forests in this area are representative of the montane forests of Central and Southern Mexico and are subject to rapid degradation and deforestation by human pressure. Carbon data for each of the LU/LC classes and the main pools (vegetation, soil and litter) were collected at 92 sites