Agrosilvopastoral system as a potential model for increasing soil carbon stocks: a century model approach

ABSTRACT Agrosilvopastoral systems have been used as sustainable production models that can promote soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. However, there are no simulation studies with the Century model to estimate SOC accumulation capacity in long term, analyzing effects of management and climate change integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF) systems. This study aimed simulate C dynamics two chronosequences land-use composed native vegetation (NV), degraded pasture (DPA) ICLF system Cerrado Minas Gerais, addition designing future scenarios verify potential through change. The results showed reliably simulated stocks evaluated. predicted an increase at sites by converting DPA (46.04 42.38 Mg ha -1 ) into (54.94 51.71 ). also a 20 mm decrease rainfall 2 °C temperature tropical regions studied could reduce more expressively pastures, while agroforestry show smaller reduction stocks. In addition, replacing pastures agrosilvopastoral systems, especially clayey soils, contributes increasing Thus, potentially viable maintain sustainability agriculture face