What impact does land use change have on carbon storage?

Land use change can significantly reduce carbon storage capabilities due to the alteration of ecosystems that usually function as carbon sinks. When forests are cleared for agricultural development, urbanization, or other purposes, the carbon that was previously stored in vegetation and soil is often released into the atmosphere, exacerbating carbon dioxide levels and contributing to climate change.

Forests, wetlands, and grasslands store large amounts of carbon, and removing or converting these ecosystems diminishes their ability to sequester carbon over time. For instance, deforestation not only releases stored carbon but also reduces future carbon uptake since fewer trees are available to capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

This reduction in carbon storage capacity is a critical concern because it affects the balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and can lead to more significant climate-related impacts. Furthermore, the impacts are not limited to agricultural land; they span across various land types, highlighting the broader issues associated with land use changes and their consequences on environmental health and climate stability.