The biogeochemical processes that underpin soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics are complex and vary according to climate, ecosystems, and management practices. These processes become increasingly difficult to understand and predict in the current context of climate change. Globally, soils store more carbon than the biosphere and atmosphere combined. However, the pressure of human activities and climate change leads to significant losses of SOC. Since the SOC pool plays a significant role in stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and maintaining ecosystems, combining science and policy on SOC issues is crucial to combating climate change and ensuring sustainable development.
Substantial scientific progress has been made to understand the processes of natural and anthropogenic SOC changes. However, there is a diversity of land use categories and management practices affecting the dynamics of SOC under different climates across the globe. Our understanding regarding the factors that affect SOC behaviour and persistence is still limited. Therefore, the aim of this collection is to take stock of recent scientific advances in understanding SOC dynamics and storage across climate regions to trigger key areas of research and decision-making. A further objective is to assess the policy aspects around SOC.
Original research and review manuscripts related, but not limited to, the following topics are welcome for submission to this collection:
- SOC in forest land, cropland, grassland, wetlands, settlements, and other land
- Variation in SOC stocks due to land use and land cover change
- Natural and anthropogenic disturbances affecting SOC
- Biogeochemical processes and mechanisms explaining SOC dynamics
- Climate change and SOC dynamics
- Effect of topography and ecological conditions on SOC dynamics
- Regenerative agriculture/natural farming and SOC
- Innovative approaches to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions linked to SOC change
- Methodological aspects for measuring and quantifying SOC
- Soil restoration and SOC accrual
- SOC data: regional and global
- Policy aspects of SOC management
