Measuring the carbon footprint of soy bean in Brazil

World population is expected to increase between 8 and 11 billion people by 2050. This growth will be accompanied by an increasing demand in food. Additionally, climate change is expected to have consequences on crop productivity because there will be changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. For that reason, there is an increasing concern over food security and farmers must make use of all available technologies to meet future food needs but also make sure that the environmental impact is reduced. This research will make direct field measurements of the carbon footprint of rain-fed soybean, or the amount of carbon dioxide that is released from food production. Results will provide key parameters regarding the carbon budget of soybean in the region and will help in future research regarding adaptation to the effects of climate change on agriculture.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Johnson

Student:

Brenda D'Acunha

Partner:

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

University:

Program:

Globalink