Projects per year
Abstract
© The Author(s) 2016.Few studies describe the primary drivers influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and the distribution of carbon (C) fractions in agricultural systems from semi-arid regions; yet these soils comprise one fifth of the global land area. Here we identified the primary drivers for changes in total SOC and associated particulate (POC), humus (HOC) and resistant (ROC) organic C fractions for 1347 sample points in the semi-arid agricultural region of Western Australia. Total SOC stock (0-0.3 m) varied from 4 to 209 t C ha-1 with 79% of variation explained by measured variables. The proportion of C in POC, HOC and ROC fractions averaged 28%, 45% and 27% respectively. Climate (43%) and land management practices (32%) had the largest relative influence on variation in total SOC. Carbon accumulation was constrained where average daily temperature was above 17.2 °C and annual rainfall below 450 mm, representing approximately 42% of the 197,300 km2 agricultural region. As such large proportions of this region are not suited to C sequestration strategies. For the remainder of the region a strong influence of management practices on SOC indicate opportunities for C sequestration strategies associated with incorporation of longer pasture phases and adequate fertilisation.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 31468 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-12 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 Aug 2016 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Spatially governed climate factors dominate management in determining the quantity and distribution of soil organic carbon in dryland agricultural systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Ecosystems Response to Climate and Anthropogenic Disturbances: Implications for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Nutrient Cycling
Murphy, D.
ARC Australian Research Council
1/01/11 → 30/04/16
Project: Research
Activities
- 1 Membership of committee
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Interim Soil and Land Conservation Ministerial Advisory Committee (External organisation)
Frances Hoyle (Member)
12 Jan 2018 → Dec 2018Activity: Memberships › Membership of committee
Research output
- 27 Citations
- 2 Conference presentation/ephemera
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Soil Carbon: Challenges and Opportunities
Hoyle, F., 2020, (Unpublished).Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference presentation/ephemera
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Soil Quality: Challenges and Opportunities
Hoyle, F., 2020, (Unpublished).Research output: Contribution to conference › Conference presentation/ephemera