Using Traditional and Simulation Methods for C and N Cycling Studies with Additional Periods of Human Civilisation: Replicating the Procedures at Regional Levels Advocate

Abstract

Carbon and nitrogen cycling are two essential processes in soil health and ecosystem stability. Many researchers and scholars have supported these processes as immensely vital for continued life on the planet earth. Not just their cycling but carbon and nitrogen sink are needed in the era of greenhouse gases emissions, associated global warming and climate change. The sinking of nitrogen naturally and through the activities of nitrogen fixers is also a panacea to nitrogen mobility, accumulated losses and constant replenishment with costly and environmentdamaging inorganic fertilisers. An English experience may give clue to global action plan on enhancing soil carbon and nitrogen sink for various periods of human civilisation. These periods were grouped into prehistoric, historical and agricultural revolution, post-agricultural revolution, Green Planet and Post Green Planet. Besides, several types of land management were compared with reference to effective and efficient carbon sequestration, namely, grassland under permanent pasture on 5-year ley prior to grazing, grassland under permanent pasture sown with red clover prior to grazing, arable land under barley and deciduous woodland. By the aid of modelling, simulated data was generated for over 8500 years of English agriculture and compared with field data. The study showed that all these land management practices sequester little or no carbon but required integrated approaches. Nevertheless, the practices if continued were found to be sustainable, as serious changes that may require other sustainable options were forecasted over subsequent 25–30 years.