Capacity building networks and improved methodologies for increased interoperability mapping and monitoring C stocks

There is a critical need to support sustainable soil management initiatives to address climate change. Significant uncertainties surround soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration trends and their impact on climate change. A key challenge lies in identifying areas with the potential for SOC sequestration. Our primary objectives involve standardizing methodologies for quantifying SOC sequestration and reducing uncertainties, both at the national and global levels. This project carries substantial implications for both science and policy.

IGCP project 765 is led by an international team of researchers specialized in the carbon cycle, to evaluate the methodologies proposed by the Global Soil Partnership of the Food and Agriculture Organization (GSP-FAO) for quantifying SOC sequestration from a national perspective. Identifying knowledge gaps and proposing innovative, data-driven solutions is crucial for enhancing SOC sequestration estimates, ultimately improving the accessibility, quality, and quantity of SOC information worldwide.

The team looks to offer a standardized approach to reduce uncertainties by utilizing consistent methods and inputs for SOC mapping and monitoring. Additionally, they identify best practices for SOC models, enhancing SOC sequestration estimates on a global scale. The aim is to develop efficient, robust, and innovative approaches to refine estimates for various carbon pools, including living biomass above and below the ground, for potential inclusion in carbon accounting. This project makes a direct contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 1, 2, 13, and 15, by recognizing the pivotal role of soils in the global carbon cycle and human health. The results have the potential for global reproducibility.

Capacity Building Worshop

In 2022, the project team conducted a capacity-building session focused on digital soil organic carbon mapping for the Soil Department staff at the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) in Mexico. Recognized as the foremost source of information in the country, INEGI plays a crucial role in shaping Mexico's data landscape.