Summary
This field survey characterised soil organic carbon composition and sequestration potential across 240 topsoil samples spanning three land-use types and four climate zones in eastern China. Paddy systems accumulated larger total and MAOC pools than upland croplands but with reduced stability, whilst mineral-associated organic carbon saturation remained incomplete across all ecosystems, particularly in mid-temperate regions. The findings suggest substantial unrealised carbon sequestration potential that could be unlocked through climate-specific management strategies tailored to local organic matter turnover and mineral protection dynamics.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK temperate soils, particularly for upland and arable systems. However, the paddy rice systems studied have no UK equivalent; UK management strategies would need to focus on comparable cropland and grassland systems under cool-temperate conditions where MAOC saturation may similarly remain incomplete.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon (SOC) content; particulate organic carbon (POC); mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC); carbon/nitrogen ratios; MAOC saturation degrees (95th quantile regression); SOC stability; mass proportions of clay and silt fractions
Outcomes reported
The study measured particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon (POC and MAOC) contents across 240 topsoils from woodlands, upland croplands, and paddy systems in four climate zones, and assessed carbon sequestration potential based on mineral-associated carbon saturation levels.
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