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An approach for estimating soil carbon using the National Nutrient Loss Database
Steven R Potter1, Jay D Atwood, Robert L Kellogg
1Blackland Research and Extension Center, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Temple, Texas 76502, USA. spotter@brc.tamus.edu
Environmental Management
|September 30, 2004
Summary
Agricultural lands can mitigate greenhouse gases by sequestering soil carbon. A simulation model, the National Nutrient Loss Database (NNLD), estimates this potential across the U.S. to inform policy.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Agricultural lands offer significant potential for greenhouse gas mitigation through soil organic carbon sequestration.
- Accurate estimations of soil carbon sequestration are crucial for developing effective policies and programs that promote beneficial management practices.
- Nationwide soil carbon surveys are often cost-prohibitive due to the diverse natural resources and management conditions in the United States.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simulation modeling approach for estimating soil carbon sequestration potential in agricultural lands.
- To introduce the National Nutrient Loss Database (NNLD) as a tool for generating science-based inferences on environmental impacts.
- To provide a framework for simulating regional and national baselines of soil carbon sequestration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Nutrient Loss Database (NNLD), a joint project of USDA-NRCS and Texas A&M University.
- Employed the Environmental Policy Impact Calculator (EPIC) model for approximately 1.5 x 10^6 field-level runs.
- Incorporated newly developed carbon equations consistent with the Century model.
- Defined unique scenarios based on state, crop, climate, soil, irrigation, conservation practices, tillage, and nutrient management.
- Linked simulation results to National Resource Inventory (NRI) points for baseline estimations.
Main Results:
- The NNLD system simulates 16 crops across approximately 1.35 x 10^8 hectares.
- The modeling approach allows for detailed analysis of various management practices' impact on soil carbon.
- Results are designed to simulate regional and national baselines for soil carbon sequestration.
Conclusions:
- Simulation modeling provides a feasible and cost-effective alternative to nationwide surveys for estimating soil carbon sequestration.
- The NNLD, utilizing the EPIC model, offers a robust system for assessing environmental impacts of agricultural management.
- The presented approach has strengths and limitations that should be considered in policy and program design.