Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Soils: Strategies to Improve Soil Health

Abstract

Agricultural soils are increasingly recognized as a critical leverage point for both climate change mitigation and the restoration of soil health. Enhancing soil organic carbon in croplands can offset a portion of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously improving soil structure, nutrient cycling, biodiversity and resilience to climate extremes. Yet, the magnitude and durability of carbon sequestration, and the extent to which it co-delivers soil health benefits, depend strongly on management, climate and soil context. This review synthesizes recent evidence on mechanisms of soil carbon stabilization and evaluates the performance, trade-offs and complementarities of key agricultural strategies, including conservation tillage, cover cropping and crop diversification, organic amendments and integrated nutrient management, biochar application, and agroforestry and perennial systems. We draw on global meta-analyses and regional long-term experiments to show that these practices can increase soil organic carbon in surface horizons and improve multiple soil health indicators, though responses are heterogeneous and often exhibit saturation over time. Co-benefits include improved aggregate stability, reduced erosion, enhanced water-holding capacity and more robust biological functioning, which can translate into higher and less variable yields under climate stress. However, constraints such as biophysical limits, potential trade-offs with nitrous oxide emissions, and socio-economic and measurement challenges temper expectations of large-scale deployment. We conclude by outlining research and policy priorities for designing context-specific portfolios of practices, strengthening monitoring and verification systems, and aligning incentives so that carbon-focused interventions deliver durable gains in soil health and farm livelihoods.