Current status, uncertainty and future needs in soil organic carbon monitoring

Jandl, Robert; Rodeghiero, Mirco; Martínez, C.; Cotrufo, M. Francesca; Bampa, Francesca; Wesemael, Bas van; Harrison, Robert; Guerrini, Iraê Amaral; Richter, Daniel; Rustad, Lindsey E.; Lorenz, Klaus; Chabbi, Abad; Miglietta, Franco

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.026

Cited by 192 publications

(128 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…While there are considerable amounts of experimental data, soil inventories and SOC modelling at field-scale or regional level, consistent figures at European level are still scarce (Jandl et al, 2014). At the same time, there is an urgent need for the development and implementation of higher tier methodologies that can be applied at fine spatial scales (Smith, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential carbon sequestration of European arable soils estimated by modelling a comprehensive set of management practices

Lugato

Bampa

Panagos

et al. 2014

Global Change Biology

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Bottom-up estimates from long-term field experiments and modelling are the most commonly used approaches to estimate the carbon (C) sequestration potential of the agricultural sector. However, when data are required at European level, important margins of uncertainty still exist due to the representativeness of local data at large scale or different assumptions and information utilized for running models. In this context, a pan-European (EU + Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Norway) simulation platform with high spatial resolution and harmonized data sets was developed to provide consistent scenarios in support of possible carbon sequestration policies. Using the CENTURY agroecosystem model, six alternative management practices (AMP) scenarios were assessed as alternatives to the business as usual situation (BAU). These consisted of the conversion of arable land to grassland (and vice versa), straw incorporation, reduced tillage, straw incorporation combined with reduced tillage, ley cropping system and cover crops. The conversion into grassland showed the highest soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration rates, ranging between 0.4 and 0.8 t C ha À1 yr À1 , while the opposite extreme scenario (100% of grassland conversion into arable) gave cumulated losses of up to 2 Gt of C by 2100. Among the other practices, ley cropping systems and cover crops gave better performances than straw incorporation and reduced tillage. The allocation of 12 to 28% of the European arable land to different AMP combinations resulted in a potential SOC sequestration of 101-336 Mt CO 2 eq. by 2020 and 549-2141 Mt CO 2 eq. by 2100. Modelled carbon sequestration rates compared with values from an ad hoc meta-analysis confirmed the robustness of these estimates.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential carbon sequestration of European arable soils estimated by modelling a comprehensive set of management practices

Lugato

Bampa

Panagos

et al. 2014

Global Change Biology

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212

122

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“…However, it can be difficult to identify the exact depth from which the core samples were taken and to prevent cross contamination of soil strata when sampling with augers. This challenge can be overcome by using a core barrel sampler attachment [111], as confirmed by recent research [29] showing that undisturbed cores can be collected from agricultural soils with augers. However, augers should be avoided in ecosystems with variable quantities of stones and coarse roots (e.g., forests) and emerging technologies such as the rotary core device [107] should be used.…”

Section: Sample Collection Method-pits Versus Coresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Choosing the correct sampling depth for the question being asked is very important because SOC is unevenly distributed throughout the soil profile [29] and several studies have shown that long-term C accumulation can occur in deeper soil layers (e.g., 30 to 100 cm) [112]. Measuring SOC only within the upper portion of the soil profile could yield inaccurate results [67], and either over-or under-estimate temporal changes such as erosion that occurred [113].…”

Section: Sampling Depth and Incrementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, current spatial inventories of SOC often focus only on the mineral topsoil, since that is what the Kyoto Protocol specifies [115]. As a result, existing soil C maps that frequently provide the basis for sustainability studies (e.g., LCA of ethanol feedstock production) are often based on data that poorly reflects C pools within deeper soil horizons [29]. Furthermore, it has been found that differences in root distribution between plant species and/or effects of plowing versus no-till operations might be overshadowed if only a portion of the soil profile is examined [112,116].…”

Section: Sampling Depth and Incrementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of the additional factors include: variations in SOC stocks due to land use history [122], inadequate accounting of vertical soil C distribution [123], and lack of consensus regarding the appropriate area for extrapolation [124]. Even in well-studied regions, information on the SOC pool and its temporal and spatial dynamics is erratic, and diverse soil sampling approaches exacerbate the issue and cause high uncertainty, even for relatively simple regional comparisons [16,29].…”

Section: Soil Monitoring Network Model Simulations and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Review of Soil Organic Carbon Measurement Protocols: A US and Brazil Comparison and Recommendation

et al. 2017

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Soil organic carbon (SOC) change influences the life-cycle assessment (LCA) calculations for globally traded bio-based products. Broad agreement on the importance of SOC measurement stands in contrast with inconsistent measurement methods. This paper focuses on published SOC research on lands managed for maize (Zea mays L.) in the U.S. and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in Brazil. A literature review found that reported SOC measurement protocols reflect different sampling strategies, measurement techniques, and laboratory analysis methods. Variability in sampling techniques (pits versus core samples), depths, increments for analysis, and analytical procedures (wet oxidation versus dry combustion) can influence reported SOC values. To improve consistency and comparability in future SOC studies, the authors recommend that: (a) the methods applied for each step in SOC studies be documented; (b) a defined protocol for soil pits or coring be applied; (c) samples be analyzed at 10 cm intervals for the full rooting depth and at 20 cm intervals below rooting until reaching 100 cm; (d) stratified sampling schemes be applied where possible to reflect variability across study sites; (e) standard laboratory techniques be used to differentiate among labile and stable SOC fractions; and (f) more long-term, diachronic approaches be used to assess SOC change. We conclude with suggestions for future research to further improve the comparability of SOC measurements across sites and nations.

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Understanding large‐extent controls of soil organic carbon storage in relation to soil depth and soil‐landscape systems

Mulder¹,

Lacoste

Martín³

et al. 2015

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

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In this work we aimed at developing a conceptual framework in which we improve our understanding of the controlling factors for soil organic carbon (SOC) over vast areas at different depths. We postulated that variability in SOC levels may be better explained by modeling SOC within soil-landscape systems (SLSs). The study was performed in mainland France, and explanatory SOC models were developed for the sampled topsoil (0-30 cm) and subsoil (>30 cm), using both directed and undirected data-mining techniques. With this study we demonstrated that there is a shift in controlling factors both in space and depth which were mainly related to (1) typical SLS characteristics and (2) human-induced changes to SLSs. The controlling factors in relation to depth alter from predominantly biotic to more abiotic with increasing depth. Especially, water availability, soil texture, and physical protection control deeper stored SOC. In SLSs with similar SOC levels, different combinations of physical protection, the input of organic matter, and climatic conditions largely determined the SOC level. The SLS approach provided the means to partition the data into data sets that were having homogenous conditions with respect to this combination of controlling factors. This information may provide important information on the carbon storage and sequestration potential of a soil.

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Current status, uncertainty and future needs in soil organic carbon monitoring

Cited by 192 publications

References 71 publications

Potential carbon sequestration of European arable soils estimated by modelling a comprehensive set of management practices

Potential carbon sequestration of European arable soils estimated by modelling a comprehensive set of management practices

Review of Soil Organic Carbon Measurement Protocols: A US and Brazil Comparison and Recommendation

Understanding large‐extent controls of soil organic carbon storage in relation to soil depth and soil‐landscape systems

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