Fri, February 19, 2016
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Smith Lab 3150
ESGP Seminar February 19 2016
Reed Johnson: On-Farm Assessment of Soil Properties and Quality under Best Management Practices
Ellen Maas: Modeling Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Soils
Carbon is a primary component of soil organic matter, which is vital to soil and plant health. Worldwide, humans have caused the desertification of a significant amount of land, possibly as much as twice the area of the United States, due in large degree to unsustainable farming practices that result in the loss of soil carbon. Carbon modeling enhances our understanding of the processes that build or deplete carbon in soil over time and changing climatic conditions. This project will contribute to the knowledge base used to define better soil management practices, which when implemented, will lead to healthier plants, more sustainable agriculture, and less CO2 in the atmosphere.