Soil Water Holding Capacity

NRCS data suggest that "every 1% increase in (soil) organic matter results in as much as 25,000 gallons of available water per acre." While more appropriately conceived of as increased soil water holding capacity than available water per se, SOM, and therefore soil water holding capacity, can definitely be improved through carbon farming.  Hydrologic benefits vary with soil type, climate, and starting soil organic matter stocks. Recognizing that this process takes time, CCI created the table below to quantify these benefits based on COMET-Planner estimates of total potential metric tons of CO2  equivalent sequestered as SOM by year 20 of carbon farm plan practice implementation.

Although these tables can be adjusted throughout the carbon farm planning process, please ensure that you have reviewed the COMET-Planner Tool page before continuing with the Soil Water Holding Capacity Table. Instructions on how to complete the table for your carbon farm plan are at the top of the table; the CO2e values in the example table represent 20 year estimates from COMET-Planner for the hypothetical Allee Demonstration Carbon Farm Plan.

Additionally, proposed future updates to COMET-Farm will allow for a water conservation scenario assessment in relation to the baseline and future scenarios included in your COMET-Farm project.  For your own Carbon Farm Plan, you can use this version of the table below by selecting "Make a Copy" or find it under the Resources tab.