Carbon Sequestration

Researchers have developed a new, easier way to find the answer to the question, "How much carbon is stored in soil?"

ARS researchers have developed a unique mobile system that assesses and maps out soil carbon to a depth of 30 centimeters (the plow layer) – all in real time.

Planting cover crops and not tilling the soil improves the soil’s carbon balance with minimal impact on the water balance.

Intercropping perennial herbaceous crops with trees successfully increased organic soil carbon levels.