Albedo of crops as a nature-based climate solution to global warming

Author:

Lei CheyenneORCID,Chen JiquanORCID,Ibáñez InésORCID,Sciusco PietroORCID,Shirkey GabrielaORCID,Lei MingORCID,Reich PeterORCID,Robertson G PhilipORCID

Abstract

Abstract Surface albedo can affect the energy budget and subsequently cause localized warming or cooling of the climate. When we convert a substantial portion of lands to agriculture, land surface properties are consequently altered, including albedo. Through crop selection and management, one can increase crop albedo to obtain higher levels of localized cooling effects to mitigate global warming. Still, there is little understanding about how distinctive features of a cropping system may be responsible for elevated albedo and consequently for the cooling potential of cultivated lands. To address this pressing issue, we conducted seasonal measurements of surface reflectivity during five growing seasons on annual crops of corn-soybean–winter wheat (Zea mays L.- Glycine max L. Merrill—Triticum aestivum L.; CSW) rotations at three agronomic intensities, a monoculture of perennial switchgrass, and perennial polycultures of early successional and restored prairie grasslands. We found that crop-species, agronomic intensity, seasonality, and plant phenology had significant effects on albedo. The mean ± SD of albedo was highest in perennial crops of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum; 0.179 ± 0.04), intermediate in early successional crops (0.170 ± 0.04), and lowest in a reduced input corn systems with cover crops (0.154 ± 0.02). The strongest cooling potentials were found in soybean (−0.450 kg CO2e m−2 yr−1) and switchgrass (−0.367 kg CO2e m−2 yr−1), with up to −0.265 kg CO2e m−2 yr−1 of localized climate cooling annually provided by different agroecosystems. We also demonstrated how diverse ecosystems, leaf canopy, and agronomic practices can affect surface reflectivity and provide another potential nature-based solution for reducing global warming at localized scales.

Funder

University of Michigan Institute for Global Change Biology

National Science Foundation Long-term Ecological Research Program

U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center

Michigan State University Kenneth E. and Marie J. Corey Research Endowment

Michigan State University Charles P. and Linda A. Thompson Endowment for Social Science Research

Michigan State University College of Social Science Research Scholars

Michigan State University AgBioResearch

Division of Environmental Biology

Biological and Environmental Research

Division of Biological Infrastructure

Publisher

IOP Publishing

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1. Overlooked cooling effects of albedo in terrestrial ecosystems;Environmental Research Letters;2024-08-07

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