Maximizing gains of soil carbon

Soil carbon can be gained in various ways, with varying degrees of speed. Some actions are short term, some long term, but all will positively influence soil carbon levels.

practical_measures_low_res.png

Organic matter

This is, in many ways, the easiest method with the most instantaneous results. There are three main types of organic matter that can be added:

Green organic matter - e.g. green manures
Brown organic matter - e.g. compost and manures
Black organic matter - e.g. biochar

It's important to also have a cultivation strategy that minimises losses, if adding organic matter in to a cultivated system.

Perennial crops

Due to their nature, perennial cropping systems rarely involve cultivations, which is a major cause of soil carbon loss. They come in several categories:

Pastures - e.g. grasses, clovers, etc.
Trees - e.g. fruit, nut, timber
Soft and vine fruits
Energy crops - e.g. miscanthus, willow

Some of these can be integrated with other systems too - agroforestry, maximising the benefits to both systems.

Biological activity

Biologically active soils are more efficient at converting organic matter in to more stable forms of soil carbon and storing it deeper in the soil profile, ensuring it is less easily oxidised. Furthermore aggregate stability is increased where more soil microbial life is found, therefore reducing soil erosion and improving structure. As micro-organism levels build in healthy soils, their ability to decompose organic matter and create humus increases over time. The soil's ability to absorb organic matter also increases; whilst degraded soils that become well managed will grow at the fastest rates, all soils can continue to build organic matter.

Biologically active soils can be enhanced by:

Regular supplies of organic matter
Minimal cultivations
Minimal compaction and/or poaching
Introduction of beneficial bacterial or fungal innoculants where necessary

Rotating annual crops

A sustainable crop rotation for annual crops is an essential strategy for a soil carbon-friendly cultivation strategy. Ideally a sustainable crop rotation would include: