Soil Carbon Capture for Ecosystem Service Enhancement

Keenor, Sam G. (2024) Soil Carbon Capture for Ecosystem Service Enhancement. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

This thesis considers potential methods, drivers, barriers, and outcomes relating to soil carbon sequestration with respect to climate change mitigation and the improvement of ecosystem services. Presented herein are four field experiments, split between two potential soil recarbonisation methods: i) direct addition of organic matter soil amendments (with a focus on paper crumble (PC)) for: improving soil properties and providing a measure of carbon prognosis (Chapter 3); and for improving hydrological and carbon outcomes in a drought prone sandy soil (Chapter 4); and ii) adoption of regenerative agriculture principles for: enhancing soil aggregate structures and physical carbon protection (Chapter 5); and impacts upon soil microbial biodiversity, abundance and community structure (Chapter 6). Review and analysis of these methods, policy, economic drivers, potential environmental outcomes, data validity, robust methodology and surety of soil carbon metrics is provided in the introductory literature review and perspectives chapter (Chapters 1 and 2) respectively. Furthermore, the details of two additional experiments are included as a record of research translation to wider stakeholders.

Applications of the PC soil amendment significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased SOC in both clay rich and sand rich soils. Long term carbon prognosis measured significant (p ≤ 0.05) quotients of carbon would persist for the long term (≥ 50 years). PC applications were also observed to regulate soil physical properties and bulk density, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improve water holding capacity and infiltration rates, and provided a source of essential nutrients. Regenerative agriculture principles significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased SOC stocks and enhanced soil aggregation, mediating the transition of carbon from non-stabilised to stabilised aggregates, conferring physical protection to carbon. Additionally, regenerative agriculture significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced soil microbial biodiversity through shifts in community composition facilitated by changes in soil properties with respect to time under regenerative management.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	19 May 2025 10:35
Last Modified:	19 May 2025 10:35
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99292
DOI:

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