Abstract
Current literature on the state of soil carbon levels in UK soils is equivocal. Predictions of future changes in soil carbon levels related to land use and climate change are highly uncertain, so evidence-based policy setting is extremely difficult. Recent reports and workshops commissioned by UK Government have suggested the need to collate UK data on soil carbon and the release of greenhouse gases in relation to land management. This would enable a clear picture to be gained of the current state of UK soil carbon and the processes driving change, and inform model predictions of future changes. Furthermore, gaps in these data could then be identified and a programme of work developed to address such gaps. This project will collate these data through the use of an Expert Group drawn from experienced and recognised members of the UK soil science community who have the broad range of skills required to tackle this complex and multifaceted task. The Expert Group will be managed by a Project Manager in order to: 1. Assess the existence, availability and provenance of data on UK soil carbon stocks, fluxes and land use influences. 2. Appraise the potential limitations of these data and draw conclusions on how these limitation may be reduced. 3. Establish the data and research requirements to deliver better and more certain outputs from existing models for C turnover, fate and behaviour. The main output from this project will be a brief review of UK soil carbon data sources and shortfalls in these data. This will provide up to date evidence to policy makers in relation to soil carbon and land management. Tasks for a second phase of work will include developing the system maps using the available data sources and internationally recognised experts.
United Kingdom