166
H. Elbasiouny and F. Elbehiry
of them being agricultural soils, meaning these soils have low C additions from plant
residues, low-density tree cover, and they are subjected to management practices that
lead to C losses. In Mediterranean forest areas, the effect is the opposite, as many
of these forest soils are rich in OM; as a result, these soils store a large amount of
C affecting the global C cycle. This means that these soils are characterized by high
SOC [26].
In addition to C sequestration, several land-use options that increase OM and
tighten the soil nitrogen (N) cycle can yield powerful synergies, such as enhanced
fertility and productivity, increased soil biodiversity, reduced erosion, and runoff
and water pollution. Although strategies involving land use conversions from crop
production to pasture or forestry have huge potential to increase SOC stocks [62].
11 Implication of Climate Change and Soil Carbon
Sequestration on Egypt
Egypt is one of the most affected countries in the world by climate change, therefore,
soil carbon sequestration should be considered in the climate change mitigation in
Egypt.
11.1 Soil C and N in Nile Delta, Egypt in Current State
and the Context of Climate Change
Nile Delta, Egypt is one of the most fertile area in the world, however it subjected to
many challenges, such as agricultural soil contamination, shrinking agricultural area
due to urban sprawl. Climate change is one of the most expected challenges that will
effect on Egypt and Nile Delta specially. Due to the Kyoto Protocol, national estimations and inventories of soil C and N stocks are needed for identifying and implementing strategies of stabilizing the atmospheric concentration of GHGs concentration
[69–72].
11.1.1 The Current State of Soil C and N in Nile Delta, Egypt
Agricultural soils generally have a low content of OM compared to natural lands
due to reduced C input because of annual harvest and removal of crop residue, etc.,
high organic C decomposition because of frequent tillage, increased soil erosion in
addition to other factors [73]. As indicated from many references based on the information of OM, N, and other nutrients; soil C and N are low in Egyptian soils and
in Delta’s soils although the Nile Delta is one the most fertile area in Egypt. In this
context; Abd El Hadi [74] mentioned that the cultivated area in Egypt covering three
H. Elbasiouny and F. Elbehiry
of them being agricultural soils, meaning these soils have low C additions from plant
residues, low-density tree cover, and they are subjected to management practices that
lead to C losses. In Mediterranean forest areas, the effect is the opposite, as many
of these forest soils are rich in OM; as a result, these soils store a large amount of
C affecting the global C cycle. This means that these soils are characterized by high
SOC [26].
In addition to C sequestration, several land-use options that increase OM and
tighten the soil nitrogen (N) cycle can yield powerful synergies, such as enhanced
fertility and productivity, increased soil biodiversity, reduced erosion, and runoff
and water pollution. Although strategies involving land use conversions from crop
production to pasture or forestry have huge potential to increase SOC stocks [62].
11 Implication of Climate Change and Soil Carbon
Sequestration on Egypt
Egypt is one of the most affected countries in the world by climate change, therefore,
soil carbon sequestration should be considered in the climate change mitigation in
Egypt.
11.1 Soil C and N in Nile Delta, Egypt in Current State
and the Context of Climate Change
Nile Delta, Egypt is one of the most fertile area in the world, however it subjected to
many challenges, such as agricultural soil contamination, shrinking agricultural area
due to urban sprawl. Climate change is one of the most expected challenges that will
effect on Egypt and Nile Delta specially. Due to the Kyoto Protocol, national estimations and inventories of soil C and N stocks are needed for identifying and implementing strategies of stabilizing the atmospheric concentration of GHGs concentration
[69–72].
11.1.1 The Current State of Soil C and N in Nile Delta, Egypt
Agricultural soils generally have a low content of OM compared to natural lands
due to reduced C input because of annual harvest and removal of crop residue, etc.,
high organic C decomposition because of frequent tillage, increased soil erosion in
addition to other factors [73]. As indicated from many references based on the information of OM, N, and other nutrients; soil C and N are low in Egyptian soils and
in Delta’s soils although the Nile Delta is one the most fertile area in Egypt. In this
context; Abd El Hadi [74] mentioned that the cultivated area in Egypt covering three