Soil carbon is a critical component of healthy soils. It plays a vital role in the Earth’s carbon cycle and the sustainability of agriculture. Soil carbon refers to the carbon stored in the soil as organic matter, derived from decaying plants and other organic materials. Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing it in soils, ultimately helping mitigate climate by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon sinks are places that absorb more carbon than they release. They continually take carbon out of the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. The use of soil as carbon sinks to increase soil carbon levels offers benefits for both the land and farmers, such as improved soil fertility, enhanced water retention, and potentially increased crop yields.

For Australian farmers, increasing soil carbon can be particularly advantageous due to the country’s vast agricultural landscape and variable climate conditions. By adopting practices that promote carbon sequestration, farming enterprises can not only improve the health and productivity of their soils but also contribute to global sustainability efforts.

There are several evidence-based practices that farmers can employ to increase soil carbon on their land. These include:

1. Minimum tillage: Conservation agriculture practices such as reduced tillage, crop rotation, cover cropping, and agroforestry help build and maintain soil carbon levels. Minimizing soil disturbance by reducing or eliminating tillage practices helps preserve soil structure and organic matter, leading to increased carbon retention in the soil.

2. Cover cropping: Planting cover crops during fallow periods can help protect the soil from erosion, increase organic matter inputs, and improve soil health, ultimately promoting carbon sequestration.

3. Crop rotation: Rotating crops with different root systems and residue composition helps diversify soil carbon inputs, enhancing soil microbial activity, increase soil fertility and carbon storage.

4. Grazing management: Implementing rotational grazing practices, managing intensive grazing, optimizing stocking rates, and improving pasture quality can enhance soil health by increasing carbon inputs from plant residues, and thus build soil carbon levels in grazing lands.

5. Agroforestry: Introducing trees or shrubs into agricultural landscapes can provide additional organic matter inputs, improve soil structure, and promote carbon sequestration through tree growth and root exudation.

There is growing evidence for the link between healthy soils and human health. Healthy soils are essential for producing nutritious food crops that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for human health. Furthermore, healthy soils help purify water, regulate water flow, and provide essential ecosystem services that support human well-being.

By adopting these practices, farmers can not only enhance the resilience and productivity of their soils but also contribute to the overall health and nutrition of their produce and consumers. Increasing soil carbon through carbon sequestration practices is essential for sustainable agriculture. Through implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance soil carbon levels and soil health, Australian farmers can reap a multitude of benefits while contributing to a healthier environment for current and future generations.

References:

• Lal, R. (2004). Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security. Science, 304(5677), 1623-1627.
• Minasny, B., & McBratney, A. B. (2018). Soils and human health. Soils and Human Health, 1-13.
• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. (2020). Soil carbon. https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/climatechange/soilcarbon
• Soil, carbon sequestration and the fight against climate change – The University of Sydney
• Soil health and carbon management – Lal – 2016 – Food and Energy Security – Wiley Online Library
• Soil health in agricultural ecosystems: Current status and future perspectives – ScienceDirect 
• Soil Health is Essential to Human, Plant and Animal Health | North Carolina Biotechnology Center (ncbiotech.org)
• Carbon Sources and Sinks (nationalgeographic.org)
• https://soils.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BSSS_Science-Note_Soil-Carbon_Short-Version_Final_May22_75YRS_DIGITAL.pdf

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