Summary
This study examined how sampling frequency influences the detection of long-term soil organic carbon trends using 30 years of data from the Danish Soil Monitoring Network (SMN). Decadal sampling was found to be as effective as more frequent sampling for capturing genuine SOC trends, but year-to-year variability was substantial, necessitating multi-year analyses for trend clarity. The authors recommend a pragmatic 3–5 year rotational sampling scheme that balances detection capability with operational feasibility and resource constraints.
UK applicability
The findings are highly applicable to UK soil monitoring programmes, as the UK operates similar long-term soil monitoring networks under varying climatic and soil conditions. The recommended 3–5 year rolling sampling strategy could inform UK agricultural policy and reduce monitoring costs whilst maintaining data quality for carbon accounting and climate commitments.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon (SOC) content (% or g/kg) at 0–25 cm (topsoil) and 25–50 cm (subsoil) depths; sampling frequency comparison; year-to-year and multi-year variability in SOC trends
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated how different sampling intervals (decadal versus more frequent sampling over 30 years) affect the detection of soil organic carbon (SOC) trends in agricultural soils. The research measured SOC content dynamics across topsoil and subsoil depths and assessed the effectiveness of various sampling strategies for trend detection.
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