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Modeling Soil Organic Carbon at the Landscape-Scale using Legacy Data and Pedometric Techniques
| GLNF CESU Project #: |
WVU-USFS-01 |
| Partners: |
West Virginia University and USDA Forest Service |
| Project Contact: |
James A. Thompson james.thompson@mail.wvu.edu |
| Agency Contact: |
Charles H. Perry charleshperry@fs.fed.us and Dennis May dmay@fs.fed.us |
| Project Funding: |
$55,000 |
| Project Dates: |
07/20/2007-06/30/2010 |
| Project Abstract: |
The purpose of this study is to improve the accuracy and precision of SOC estimates by developing models of soil organic carbon (SOC) using USDA NRCS databases and data collected by NRCS Soil Survey Division and the USDA FS FIA program. These models are required by the carbon research community to (i) develop and validate landscape-scale models of SOC sequestration, and (ii) determine SOC sequestration for international reporting. Additionally, this model should improve our ability to document the effects of management and disturbance on soil SOC stocks at the county, state, regional, and national scale.
This project will develop a spatially-explicit regional SOC model that will improve our understanding of SOC sequestration patterns and processes, facilitate international reporting, and support other modeling efforts. This research will focus on FIA Northern Region (Northeast and North Central FHM regions). These regions have some of the highest carbon stocks in the nation. Additionally, this region is undergoing extensive land use change which directly impacts forest soil C sequestration. Model predictions suggest that approximately 61% of the total stored forest carbon is held in the soil. Our effort will determine the spatial distribution of this critical resource. |
| Project Products: |
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