Soils & Ecological Sites

In Module 2 we discussed viewing a landscape as a whole to try to identify all opportunities for additional carbon capture. We discussed ecological sites and noted that the ecological site framework can be helpful in recognizing and understanding variability in carbon capture potential across a heterogeneous landscape. If referring to ecological sites in your CFP, add a discussion and a map to make these concepts and designations clear to the reader.

Ecological Sites

As a refresher, ecological sites are defined by geophysical features, including soil, slope, aspect and elevation. Similar sites, therefore, respond similarly to similar management practices and tend to support similar vegetation, assuming similar management and/or disturbance histories. When planning through a carbon lens, identifying distinct ecological sites on the farm can help identify where certain conservation practices may be most effective at sequestering carbon. For example, compost additions in areas low in soil organic matter will tend to have greater hydrologic benefits, such as decreased runoff and improved groundwater recharge, and increased carbon sequestration potential when compared with areas that are already high in soil organic matter (Flint et al 2018).