Descripción del proyecto
Soil organic carbon (SOC) constitutes the largest C stocks in the terrestrial ecosystems, playing critical roles in maintaining agricultural sustainability and in potentially mitigating climate change. However, there is a potential conflict between SOC storage and agricultural activities, since many traditional intensive cultivation methods have led to significant reductions in SOC storage. In this project, we will investigate the effects and driving mechanisms of innovative cropping systems on biomass production and SOC stocks simultaneously based on ongoing long-term unique field experiments on innovative cropping systems available at the host department. Multiple research methods will be utilized in this project, including data mining of long-term data records, inverse modelling and soil incubation, meta-analysis, and structure equation modelling. Our key objective is developing innovative cropping systems that allow to protect and increase SOC stocks while increasing biomass production under climate change. Results from the current study will provide crucial information for policy developments and will contribute to the development of sustainable cropping systems for farmers of the future.