Soil Organic Carbon - Role in Rainfed Farming Systems: With Particular Reference to Australian Conditions

J.A. Baldock, Daniel Murphy, Frances Hoyle

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Soil organic carbon is central to the functioning of all soils and as such we require a more fundamental understanding of the climatic and management factors which influence its storage and persistence. The interest in carbon storage and sequestration has focused attention on changes in soil organic carbon across different regions, climate and management systems. The major components of soil organic carbon have different physical and chemical properties. A greater understanding of the quantities and composition of these different components is required to gain an insight into the relative contributions soil organic carbon can make to soil productivity. Whilst the physical structure of the soil has an overriding influence on the capacity to store soil carbon, management options more often influence the actual soil organic carbon content. This chapter addresses the function of soil organic carbon in farming systems, including the role of specific fractions in key soil processes.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRainfed Farming Systems
EditorsP Tow, I Cooper, I Partridge, C Birch
Place of PublicationNetherlands
PublisherSpringer Science + Business Media
Pages339-361
ISBN (Print)9781402091315
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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