IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jgeogr/v2y2022i2p20-302d828366.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7086/2/2/20/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7086/2/2/20/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Guillaume Jacek & Anne Rozan & Isabelle Combroux, 2022. "Are Mechanical and Biological Techniques Efficient in Restoring Soil and Associated Biodiversity in a Brownfield Site?," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-20, November.
    2. 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.
    3. Frankie St. Amand & Daniel H. Sandweiss & Alice R. Kelley, 2020. "Climate-driven migration: prioritizing cultural resources threatened by secondary impacts of climate change," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(2), pages 1761-1781, September.
    4. Katarzyna Kocur-Bera & Anna Lyjak, 2021. "Analysis of Changes in Agricultural Use of Land After Poland’s Accession to the EU," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 517-533.
    5. Tom Wilson & Irina Grossman & Monica Alexander & Phil Rees & Jeromey Temple, 2022. "Methods for Small Area Population Forecasts: State-of-the-Art and Research Needs," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(3), pages 865-898, June.
    6. Byungdoo Kim & David L. Kay & Jonathon P. Schuldt, 2021. "Will I have to move because of climate change? Perceived likelihood of weather- or climate-related relocation among the US public," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-8, March.
    7. Marion Borderon & Patrick Sakdapolrak & Raya Muttarak & Endale Kebede & Raffaella Pagogna & Eva Sporer, 2019. "Migration influenced by environmental change in Africa: A systematic review of empirical evidence," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 41(18), pages 491-544.
    8. D. J. Rasmussen & Scott Kulp & Robert E. Kopp & Michael Oppenheimer & Benjamin H. Strauss, 2022. "Popular extreme sea level metrics can better communicate impacts," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 170(3), pages 1-17, February.
    9. Dorijan Radočaj & Jasmina Obhođaš & Mladen Jurišić & Mateo Gašparović, 2020. "Global Open Data Remote Sensing Satellite Missions for Land Monitoring and Conservation: A Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-24, October.
    10. Cathrin Zengerling, 2019. "Governing the City of Flows: How Urban Metabolism Approaches May Strengthen Accountability in Strategic Planning," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(1), pages 187-199.
    11. Yong Jee KIM & Brigitte WALDORF & Juan SESMERO, 2020. "Relocation, Retreat, and the Rising Sea Level: A Simulation of Aggregate Outcomes in Escambia County, Florida," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 51, pages 31-43.
    12. Kelsea Best & Qian He & Allison C. Reilly & Deb A. Niemeier & Mitchell Anderson & Tom Logan, 2023. "Demographics and risk of isolation due to sea level rise in the United States," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    13. Gaël Giraud & Hadrien Lantremange & Emeric Nicolas & Olivier Rech, 2017. "National Carbon Reduction Commitments: Identifying the Most Consensual Burden Sharing," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 17062, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
    14. Kerber, Samuel W. & Gilbert, Alexander Q. & Deinert, Mark R. & Bazilian, Morgan D., 2021. "Understanding the nexus of energy, environment and conflict: An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    15. Rui Zhao & Kening Wu, 2021. "Soil Health Evaluation of Farmland Based on Functional Soil Management—A Case Study of Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-27, June.
    16. Jack DeWaard & Mathew Hauer & Elizabeth Fussell & Katherine J. Curtis & Stephan D. Whitaker & Kathryn McConnell & Kobie Price & David Egan-Robertson & Michael Soto & Catalina Anampa Castro, 2022. "User Beware: Concerning Findings from the Post 2011–2012 U.S. Internal Revenue Service Migration Data," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(2), pages 437-448, April.
    17. Kairui Feng & Min Ouyang & Ning Lin, 2022. "Tropical cyclone-blackout-heatwave compound hazard resilience in a changing climate," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Marcel Henkel, Eunjee Kwon, Pierre Magontier, 2022. "The Unintended Consequences of Post-Disaster Policies for Spatial Sorting," Diskussionsschriften credresearchpaper37, Universitaet Bern, Departement Volkswirtschaft - CRED.
    19. Bryan Jones & Fernando Riosmena & Daniel H. Simon & Deborah Balk, 2019. "Estimating Internal Migration in Contemporary Mexico and its Relevance in Gridded Population Distributions," Data, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-16, April.
    20. Yajun Ma & Ping Zhang & Kaixu Zhao & Yong Zhou & Sidong Zhao, 2022. "A Dynamic Performance and Differentiation Management Policy for Urban Construction Land Use Change in Gansu, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-31, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jgeogr:v:2:y:2022:i:2:p:20-302:d:828366. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.