Journal of Energy Bioscience 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 1-12 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 7 7 Case Studies and Regional Insights 7.1 In-depth analysis of successful carbon management projects Successful carbon management projects in agriculture have demonstrated significant potential in enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, a meta-analysis of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices, including conservation tillage, cover crops, and biochar applications, revealed that biochar applications were the most effective, increasing SOC content by 39%, followed by cover crops (6%) and conservation tillage (5%) (Bai et al., 2019). These practices were particularly effective in warmer climates or areas with lower nitrogen fertilizer inputs, highlighting the importance of local environmental factors in the success of carbon management projects. In another case, the 4p1000 initiative, which aims to increase SOC storage through sustainable practices, has shown promise in addressing climate change adaptation, mitigation, and food security simultaneously. This initiative emphasizes the need for region-specific practices and collaboration among policymakers, practitioners, scientists, and stakeholders to stimulate innovation and transition agricultural systems toward sustainability (Rumpel et al., 2019). Despite some criticism regarding its numerical targets, the initiative has provided a collaborative platform for developing and implementing effective carbon management strategies. 7.2 Region-specific challenges and tailored solutions Different regions face unique challenges in implementing carbon sequestration practices, necessitating tailored solutions. For example, in Australia, the government's Emission Reduction Fund (ERF) encourages farmers to adopt practices that increase soil carbon stocks and earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). However, the success of this program is hindered by biophysical constraints such as variable rainfall and the high costs of compliance and practice changes (White, 2022). To address these challenges, it is crucial to develop region-specific strategies that consider local environmental conditions and economic factors. In Northern Italy, the influence of agronomic practices on soil carbon sequestration varies significantly across different pedoclimatic settings. For instance, organic farms in the Northern Apennines, characterized by minimal soil disturbance and cold climates, showed higher SOC sequestration compared to conventional farms on the Po Plain, where warmer climates and moderately alkaline environments enhanced soil microbial activity, leading to lower SOC levels (Brombin et al., 2020) (Figure 3; Table 1). This underscores the need for thorough soil investigations and tailored best practices that reconcile productivity with soil sustainability. Figure 3 (a) Locations of the investigated farms within the Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy). Simplified geomorphological maps of the studied areas showing the location of (b) the I Rodi (IR) farm in the Apennines, as well as the (c) Tassinari Carla (BT) farm and (d) Maccanti Vivai (MV) farm on the Po Plain (Adopted from Brombin et al., 2020)
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