(IELTS Listening) – The use of soil to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere

Complete the notes. Write ONE WORD ONLY in each gap.

 

The use of soil to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere

Rattan Lal

• Claims that 13% of CO2 in the atmosphere could be absorbed by agricultural soils
  
  
• Erosion is more likely in soil that is 31.
  
  
• Lal found soil in Africa that was very 32.
  
  
• It was suggested that carbon from soil was entering the atmosphere

 

Soil and carbon

• Plants turn CO2 from the air into carbon-based substances such as 33.
  
  
• Some CO2 moves from the 34. of plants to microbes in the soil
  
  
• Carbon was lost from the soil when agriculture was invented

 

Regenerative agriculture

• Uses established practices to make sure soil remains fertile and 35.
  
  
• e.g. through year-round planting and increasing the 36. of plants that are grown

 

California study

• Taking place on a big 37. farm
  
  
• Uses compost made from waste from agriculture and 38.

 

Australia study

• Aims to increase soil carbon by using 39. that are always green

 

Future developments may include

• Reducing the amount of fertilizer used in farming
  
  
• Giving farmers 40. for carbon storage, as well as their produce