Pastoral landscapes in the Sahel: a carbon balance with unexpected potential for climate change mitigation

Assouma Mohamed Habibou, Lecomte Philippe, Corniaux Christian, Hiernaux Pierre, Ickowicz Alexandre, Vayssières Jonathan. 2019. Pastoral landscapes in the Sahel: a carbon balance with unexpected potential for climate change mitigation. Perspective (52) : 1-4.

Résumé : In the Sahel, pastoralism capitalises on an extreme environment. Although it is accused of emitting excessive amounts of greenhouse gases per kilogram of milk or meat produced, a research study conducted in Senegal shows that pastoral landscapes can actually have a neutral carbon balance: emissions from animals are offset by carbon sequestration in soils and plants. These findings were obtained using an original evaluation method, known as ecosystem assessment, which integrates the use of the pastoral landscape as a whole, according to the seasons and the areas grazed by herds. These findings indicate that current standards for calculating feeding behaviour and methane emissions from ruminant digestion need to be revised downwards. Other implications are possible, such as improving the carbon balance through specific local practices and promoting these areas on the carbon market. Preserving this livestock system is also one way of fostering development and ensuring greater security in these regions.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : pastoralisme, gaz à effet de serre, cycle du carbone, séquestration du carbone, document d'orientation

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Sahel, Sénégal

Classification Agris : L01 - Élevage - Considérations générales
P02 - Pollution
P40 - Météorologie et climatologie
P33 - Chimie et physique du sol

Champ stratégique Cirad : CTS 6 (2019-) - Changement climatique

Auteurs et affiliations

• Assouma Mohamed Habibou, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0002-8163-0340 - auteur correspondant
• Lecomte Philippe ORCID: 0000-0003-1040-7886
• Corniaux Christian, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (SEN) ORCID: 0000-0002-0046-5989
• Hiernaux Pierre
• Ickowicz Alexandre, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0003-1436-7148
• Vayssières Jonathan, CIRAD-ES-UMR SELMET (REU) ORCID: 0000-0003-3127-7208

Source : Cirad-Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/594230/)

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