Contents:
There is a trade-off between using carbon (as a source of energy, and benefiting from the nutrients released - but accepting a decline in organic matter) and hoarding carbon (to mitigate effects of increasing atmospheric CO2, but sequestering nutrients). This trade-off between different ecosystem functions and services provided by carbon suggests that carbon is subject to a zero-sum game. Could we transform a zero-sum game into a win-win situation: sequestering carbon while also raising energy crops and improving soil fertility? Several (interlinked) scientific controversies that are important for resolving or managing the carbon dilemma will be discussed and novel research questions will be identified.
Learning outcomes:
After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
analyse scientific results and arguments on all sides of controversies over key mechanisms regulating soil C cycling;
evaluate the validity of novel scientific insights and judge their implications for the C dilemma;
discuss some of the social, economical and environmental implications of soil C sequestration;
construct unbiased argumentation describing the carbon dilemma controversies;
provide constructive criticism to peers (fellow student and authors).
