Soil carbon, or soil organic carbon (SOC), is carbon stored in soil organic matter. Increasing soil carbon levels offers significant benefits for farmers and the environment.
Soil carbon (also known as soil organic carbon or SOC) is carbon that is stored within organic matter in the soil. Increasing the levels of soil carbon brings important benefits for farmers, their farms and the wider environment:
- Healthier soil. Soil carbon improves the ability of soils to hold water and nutrients, and increases healthy microbial activity. Healthy soil supports the health of the environment, including farmland and natural ecosystems.
- Increased productivity. Land with high levels of soil carbon is more productive. Higher levels of soil carbon deliver faster pasture growth and higher crop yields.
- Increased resilience. Land with high levels of soil carbon has higher waterholding capacity and is more resilient to stress. This means it can continue to be productive in low-rainfall years, and that it can recover more quickly after climate extremes such as droughts.
