Other effects of practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions

We cannot judge the attractiveness of various management practices solely on how well they reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other factors that come into play include their practical feasibility, economic cost, effect on soil quality, and influence on the whole environment (Table 16). When all these factors are considered together, many of the proposed practices have favorable ratings across the spectrum. For example, reducing tillage intensity has either favorable or neutral effects on all the criteria (though, clearly, these tentative ratings will vary for different areas of the country). Some practices, such as using nitrification inhibitors, have numerous benefits but their use may be limited by cost. Most of the proposed methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions have favorable effects on soil quality and adjacent environments.

Many of these other considerations are as important as any benefits to the atmosphere. The adoption of proposed practices will be driven at least as much by these factors as by the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.