Summary
This meta-analysis protocol systematically summarises global evidence on cover crop impacts on soil organic carbon pools in European climatic zones. By extracting data from 71 studies across 61 articles and calculating standardised effect sizes, the authors aim to quantify SOC pool changes and identify sources of heterogeneity across pedo-climatic factors, management practices, and cover crop types. The synthesis is designed to provide evidence-based insights into how cover crops influence soil health and carbon sequestration in arable systems.
UK applicability
The protocol's inclusion of studies located in European climatic zones should generate findings directly applicable to UK arable farming conditions. Results on cover crop effects on SOC pools and their stability (POC vs MAOC fractions) will be relevant to UK soil health policy and sustainable intensification objectives.
Key measures
Particulate organic carbon (POC), mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), effect sizes, heterogeneity sources
Outcomes reported
This meta-analysis protocol aims to quantitatively summarise the effects of cover crops on soil organic carbon pools (particulate organic carbon, mineral-associated organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon) across soil depths in arable cropland. The analysis will examine moderating factors including pedo-climatic conditions, agricultural management practices, and cover crop characteristics.
Topic tags
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