What is soil carbon farming?
Soil carbon farming focuses on the carbon-storing capacity of soils, with farmers using modern science-backed practices to increase the carbon in the soil. It creates several long-term benefits for the ecosystem and can increase farm profitability.
The Soil Carbon Farming Cycle
The sequestration of soil carbon is a complex process involving hundreds of steps and reactions.
The soil carbon farming cycle begins with plants absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. This process not only removes CO2 but also produces oxygen, enriching the air we breathe. Livestock plays a crucial role by increasing the availability of major nutrients in the soil, which, in turn, boosts plant growth and further carbon absorption. As plants decompose or are consumed by animals, carbon enters the soil, enriching it.
This carbon-rich soil has an enhanced capacity to retain water, creating a more robust and drought-resistant agricultural environment. Finally, this process leads to the long-term storage of carbon in the soil, sequestering it from the atmosphere and mitigating the impact of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas levels.