Summary
This study identifies a significant methodological bias in assessing soil carbon sequestration under agricultural best management practices. Standard fixed-depth measurement protocols systematically underestimate carbon sequestration gains by approximately 25.2% because BMPs reduce bulk density and expand topsoil depth. The authors propose adoption of a calibrated-depth approach based on equivalent soil mass, alongside improved measurement protocols for soil depth and bulk density determination, to enable more accurate monitoring of carbon gains in managed agricultural systems.
UK applicability
The methodological framework is applicable to UK agricultural monitoring systems, particularly as UK policy increasingly emphasises nature-based climate mitigation through soil carbon sequestration. Adoption of these improved measurement protocols could enhance the reliability of UK soil carbon monitoring schemes and carbon credit verification under agri-environment programmes.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon stock changes (%, magnitude of underestimation), bulk density, topsoil depth, equivalent soil mass-based depth calibration
Outcomes reported
The study quantified the extent to which fixed-depth measurement protocols underestimate soil organic carbon sequestration gains under agricultural best management practices. The authors demonstrated that adopting a calibrated-depth approach based on equivalent soil mass provides more accurate monitoring of carbon stock changes.
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