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Contribution of Land Cover Conversions to Connecticut (USA) Carbon Footprint

Author

Listed:
  • Elena A. Mikhailova

    (Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Lili Lin

    (Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China)

  • Zhenbang Hao

    (University Key Lab for Geomatics Technology and Optimized Resources Utilization in Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350002, China)

  • Hamdi A. Zurqani

    (University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Arkansas Forest Resources Center, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello, AR 71655, USA)

  • Christopher J. Post

    (Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Mark A. Schlautman

    (Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Anderson, SC 29625, USA)

  • Gregory C. Post

    (Geography Department, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97202, USA)

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from landcover conversions contribute to the total carbon (C) footprint (CF), which is the sum of GHG emissions from various sources and events expressed as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalent. Soil-based emissions from land conversions are often excluded from the total CF, which can lead to underreporting the CF. This study uses the state of Connecticut (CT) as a case study to demonstrate the importance of soil-based emissions from land cover conversions to the state’s CF. The state of CT Public Act 08-98 (2008): Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) set a statutory requirement to cut GHG emissions 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 2001 levels by 2050 without considering soil-based emissions from land conversions. This omission results in underestimates of past and current emissions related to CT’s CF. In addition, not accounting for soil-based emissions from land conversions may increase the future size of CT’s CF. Remote sensing and soil data analysis provide an opportunity for rapid, quantitative, and temporal assessment of the contribution of land cover conversions to CT’s CF by soil type, land cover type, and administrative units (counties). Results are reported for soil organic carbon (SOC), soil inorganic carbon (SIC), and total soil carbon (TSC) based on C contents and monetary values of social costs of carbon. The state of CT experienced soil-based emissions from land cover conversions from 2001 to 2016 with $388.1M (where $ = USD, M = million = 10 6 ) worth of “realized” social costs of carbon dioxide (SC-CO 2 ) emissions which should be accounted for in CT’s total CF. The current methodology could be used to optimize future land conversions to minimize the amount of soil GHG emissions by considering the soil C resources in different development scenarios. With an extensive, densely populated coastal area, CT will be directly affected by rising sea levels and other climate change impacts. Future research can focus on owner-specific CF contributions to address the responsibility for costs of GHG emissions as well as limiting the CF impact of land conversions.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena A. Mikhailova & Lili Lin & Zhenbang Hao & Hamdi A. Zurqani & Christopher J. Post & Mark A. Schlautman & Gregory C. Post, 2022. "Contribution of Land Cover Conversions to Connecticut (USA) Carbon Footprint," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgeogr:v:2:y:2022:i:2:p:20-302:d:828366
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chester Arnold & Emily Wilson & James Hurd & Daniel Civco, 2020. "30 Years of Land Cover Change in Connecticut, USA: A Case Study of Long-Term Research, Dissemination of Results, and Their Use in Land Use Planning and Natural Resource Conservation," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-26, July.
    2. Christopher M. Jones & Stephen M. Wheeler & Daniel M. Kammen, 2018. "Carbon Footprint Planning: Quantifying Local and State Mitigation Opportunities for 700 California Cities," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 3(2), pages 35-51.
    3. Elena A. Mikhailova & Hamdi A. Zurqani & Christopher J. Post & Mark A. Schlautman & Gregory C. Post, 2021. "Soil Diversity (Pedodiversity) and Ecosystem Services," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-34, March.
    4. Elena A. Mikhailova & Hamdi A. Zurqani & Christopher J. Post & Mark A. Schlautman & Gregory C. Post & Lili Lin & Zhenbang Hao, 2021. "Soil Carbon Regulating Ecosystem Services in the State of South Carolina, USA," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Mathew E. Hauer, 2017. "Migration induced by sea-level rise could reshape the US population landscape," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 7(5), pages 321-325, May.
    6. Gert Goeminne & Erik Paredis, 2010. "The concept of ecological debt: some steps towards an enriched sustainability paradigm," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 12(5), pages 691-712, October.
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    1. Philip C. Hutton & Elena A. Mikhailova & Lili Lin & Zhenbang Hao & Hamdi A. Zurqani & Christopher J. Post & Mark A. Schlautman & George B. Shepherd, 2022. "Net-Zero Target and Emissions from Land Conversions: A Case Study of Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-20, December.

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