Why is Soil CArbon Important?

Carbon is present in the soil as organic carbon (plants, bugs, and microbes) and inorganic carbon (rocks such as chalk). Numerous soil functions and ecosystem services depend on soil organic carbon (SOC). Improvements in soil health, along with increase in availability of water and nutrients, increases soil’s resilience against extreme climate change events and lends to disease-suppressive attributes [1], [2]. Carbon bonds within soil organic matter are the main determinants of biological activity because they provide the primary energy sources for living soil organisms [3]. The biological activity that is generated from this has a major influence on the physical and chemical properties of soil. Soil aggregation and stability of soil structure increases with increasing organic carbon. In turn, these factors increase the infiltration rate and available water holding capacity of the soil [4].

Soil carbon is also a food source for micro-organisms and an important bacteria metabolite, where microbial activity plays a key role in improving soil structure. Improved soil structure increases water infiltration and increases water holding capacity of the soil. 
High levels of organic carbon help to maintain agricultural production through its role in maintaining soil health, raising fertility, and reducing erosion.

Soil organic carbon therefore represents an important indicator for soil quality, for both agricultural functions and for environmental functions; with sequestration of carbon being an imperative way to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide. On the Farm level, the presence (and increase) of soil carbon changes the structure of soils over time; providing increased resilience to physical degradation; slowing and storing water (to the benefit of plant life during drier spells); and creating space for beneficial microbes, such as fungi and bacteria, which provide nutrients through their processing of organic matter. 

​High SOC in mineral soils, is usually associated with higher biological productivity with positive implications for both, crop yields and local wildlife habitats [5]. Therefore, measuring and monitoring SOC levels can lead to a better understanding of the farm’s soil health, environmental impact, and the health of the landscape it is a part of. Measuring SOC as a response to changes in on-site activities can give you a vital insight into several important metrics and can help you to assess whether such activities will be useful going forward.
 
Citations:
[1] Lal, R. (2016) ‘Soil Health and Carbon Management’, Food and Energy Security, 5(4), pp. 212–222. doi:10.1002/fes3.96. 
[2] Singh, B.K. et al. (2023) ‘Climate change impacts on plant pathogens, food security and paths forward’, Nature Reviews Microbiology, 21(10), pp. 640–656. doi:10.1038/s41579-023-00900-7. 
[3] Jones, D. (2010) ‘Soil quality and biofuel production. by R. Lal and B. A. Stewart. Boca Raton FL, USA: CRC Press (2010), pp. 201. ISBN 978-1-4398-0073-7.’, Experimental Agriculture, 46(4), pp. 564–564. doi:10.1017/s0014479710000463. 
[4] Reicosky, D.C. (2003) ‘Conservation Agriculture: Global Environmental Benefits of soil carbon management’, Conservation Agriculture, pp. 3–12. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-1143-2_1. 
[5] Lal, R. (2020) ‘Soil Organic Matter Content and crop yield’, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 75(2). doi:10.2489/jswc.75.2.27a.