Topographic & Soil Carbon Reconstructions in Agricultural Fields, Iowa

Hillslope transects at three sites showing redistribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) simulated over 160 years in Iowa.

Hillslope transects at three sites showing redistribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) simulated over 160 years in Iowa. Sites (columns): Hoffman, Stinson, and Willis. Upper row shows hillshade maps illustrating topography at each site. Red lines show location of transects proceeding from upslope to downslope (e.g., A to A'). Lower three rows illustrate pattern of SOC along the transect distance (L) at soil depths at beginning of simulation (0 y), after 40 y, and at end of simulation (160 y). Red lines indicate the initial surface elevation at beginning of simulation. Insets highlight cases where soil with low SOC blankets soil with higher SOC.

The ORNL DAAC is pleased to announce the release of a new dataset associated with The North American Carbon Program (NACP) by Kwang, J.S., et al (2022):

Topographic and Soil Carbon Reconstructions in Agricultural Fields, Iowa

This dataset contains model predictions of soil erosion and soil organic carbon (SOC) redistribution caused by agricultural practices such as tillage erosion. Soil erosion diminishes agricultural productivity by driving the loss of SOC. This model addresses a growing need to predict soil organic carbon transport, loss, and deposition. The model was applied to three sites containing paired prairie grassland and field plots in Iowa, and predicts SOC redistribution between 1859 to 2019. The model was developed by incorporating a SOC mixing model with a landscape evolution model that simulates tillage erosion.

The North American Carbon Program (NACP) is a multi-disciplinary research program designed to obtain scientific understanding of North America's carbon sources and sinks and of the changes in carbon stocks needed to meet societal concerns, and to provide tools for decision makers. NACP began in 2002 and continues to date. The NACP data collection contains continental carbon budgets, dynamics, processes, and management of the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide in North America and in adjacent ocean regions.

Additional data from NACP and other relevant links can be found on the ORNL DAAC's NACP Project Page.

Citation: Kwang, J.S., E.A. Thaler, and I.J. Larsen. 2022. Topographic and Soil Carbon Reconstructions in Agricultural Fields, Iowa. ORNL DAAC, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA. https://doi.org/10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1944