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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406214
Research Project: Impacts of Variable Land Management and Climate on Water and Soil Resources

Location: Agroclimate and Hydraulics Research Unit

Title: Can a net zero balance be achieved across the long-term agriculture research (LTAR) network

Author
item Fortuna, Ann-Marie
item MAUL, JUDE - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item VEUM, KRISTEN - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item JIN, VIRGINIA - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item CORDOVA, S.CAROLINA - University Of Nebraska
item OSTERHOLZ, WILLIAM - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item PHILLIPS, CLAIRE - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item ROBERTSON, G.PHILIP - Wk Kellogg Foundation

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2023
Publication Date: 10/31/2023
Citation: Fortuna, A., Maul, J., Veum, K., Jin, V., Cordova, S., Osterholz, W., Phillips, C., Robertson, G. 2023. Can a net zero balance be achieved across the long-term agriculture research (LTAR) network. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. St. Louis, MO, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2023.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a primary indicator of soil health and has been used to approximate nutrient cycling, yield stability, food security, climatic change, and the resilience of agroecosystems. However, current research in carbon cycling in agroecosystems does not sufficiently address the adoption of multiple integrated conservation practices across varying agroecosystems and climates via a multidisciplinary approach. The Long-Term Agro-Ecosystem Research (LTAR) network is utilizing a set of national carbon balance data cataloged by the soil data inventory working group to address the potential benefit or in some instances limits agroecosystems have on carbon accrual and sequestration. This research will calculate a carbon (C) balance across several LTAR sites representing varying management, soil textures, and climatic conditions that will result in a carbon neutral, positive or negative balance. The mass balance will include carbon sequestration, biomass, litter, SOC, photosynthesis, respiration, and C loss to disturbance. The SOC from each will also be site evaluated using the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (SHAPE) tool. The C balances will be used to aid the working group to design a soil health project across the LTAR network. Our research emphasizes the need to integrate multiple drivers controlling C cycling that represent indicators to determine the impact of agroecosystems on ecosystems services across regions within the USA. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.