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Review | Tropical Agroforestry Research Insight | Volume 1 - Issue 1 - 2026 | 22−39 |
© 2026 by the author(s), and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License

Carbon Sequestration in Land-Based Ecosystems: A Review of Its Role in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Regulation

Author(s): Amina Okafor 1 , John Mbeki 2 , Fatima El-Sayed 3
Author(s) information:
1 University of Lagos, University Road Lagos Mainland Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
2 University of Pretoria, 140 Lunnon Road, Hillcrest, Pretoria, South Africa
3 Cairo University, 1 Gamaa Street, Giza, Egypt

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Tropical Agroforestry Research Insight

Volume 1 - Issue 1 - 2026

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Carbon sequestration in land-based ecosystems plays a critical role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide and supporting global environmental sustainability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms, ecosystem types, benefits, challenges, and policy implications of carbon sequestration in terrestrial environments. The study highlights that carbon is absorbed through photosynthesis and stored in vegetation biomass and soil organic matter, making forests, soils, grasslands, wetlands, agricultural lands, and urban green spaces essential components of the global carbon cycle. Among these, forest ecosystems exhibit the highest carbon storage capacity due to their large biomass and long-lived vegetation, while soils represent the largest long-term terrestrial carbon reservoir through stabilized organic carbon. The review further emphasizes that sustainable land management practices such as reforestation, afforestation, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and ecosystem restoration significantly enhance carbon sequestration potential while simultaneously improving biodiversity, soil fertility, and water quality. These ecosystems also provide important co-benefits, including climate regulation, ecosystem services, and resilience against climate change impacts. However, their effectiveness is increasingly threatened by deforestation, land degradation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and climate-induced disturbances such as droughts and wildfires, which reduce carbon storage capacity and increase greenhouse gas emissions. Strengthened monitoring systems, improved carbon accounting, and nature-based solutions are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of land-based climate actions. Overall, land-based ecosystems represent a vital natural solution for mitigating climate change and promoting long-term environmental sustainability through enhanced carbon storage and ecosystem conservation.

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SUBMITTED: 03 June 2026
ACCEPTED: 06 July 2026
PUBLISHED: 12 July 2026
SUBMITTED to ACCEPTED: 34 days

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Okafor, A. ., Mbeki, J. ., & Fatima El-Sayed. (2026). Carbon Sequestration in Land-Based Ecosystems: A Review of Its Role in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Regulation. Tropical Agroforestry Research Insight, 1(1), 22−39. Retrieved from https://tecnoscientifica.com/journal/tari/article/view/1225
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