Agriculture and animal husbandry increased carbon footprint on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during past three decades

Agriculture and animal husbandry are important sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and contribute to climate change, but the carbon sink function of cropland and grassland plays an important role in mitigating climate changes. Based on ecological footprint methodology, this study comprehensively considered carbon emission and carbon sequestration in order to calculate the carbon footprints from agriculture and animal husbandry, and analyzed spatiotemporal distribution of carbon emission, carbon sequestration, and carbon footprint on the QTP. The results showed that during the period of 1990–2015, the carbon emissions of agriculture and animal husbandry on the QTP increased by 163% and 41%, respectively. Agricultural carbon sequestration showed an increasing trend with a growth rate of 45%, and animal husbandry carbon sequestration showed that it increased by 40% in the period of 1990–2005 and then decreased by 28% in the period of 2005–2015. The carbon footprint of agriculture reduced by 23% from 1990 to 1995, then grew by 112% from 1995 to 2015, and the animal husbandry carbon footprint reduced by 18% from 1990 to 2005 then grew by 71% from 2005 to 2015; both of these phenomena showed the downward trends first before trending upward. The high carbon emission and sequestration regions of agriculture were mainly distributed in the southeastern and northwestern areas of the QTP, and the high carbon footprint regions of agriculture were centered in the southeastern and northeastern areas. The high carbon emission regions of animal husbandry were located in southeastern areas, while the high carbon sequestration regions were in the southeastern, southwestern and middle areas. Additionally, the high carbon footprint regions were in southwestern areas. All measures mentioned showed a significant variation in spatial distribution. The economic and population growth contributed to the increase in carbon footprint despite technological advances. This study propose options to reduce the carbon emission and suggestions to improve carbon sink function. This study provides an important basis for policy formulation and planning for sustainable agriculture on the QTP.