Building soil carbon through land management strategies

WHY THIS PROJECT IS NEEDED 

Soil carbon is a vital indicator of soil health, significantly influencing land resilience and agricultural productivity. Enhancing soil carbon improves soil structure, fertility, and opens up opportunities for engaging in carbon sequestration projects and markets.  

In short: This project aims to help NSW farmers, landowners, and advisors explore their soil carbon potential. Participants will learn what to expect for the Riverine Plains region regarding soil carbon and strategies to achieve these levels through effective management techniques. 

By participating, local farmers in the Riverine Plains region will gain tailored insights and practical strategies to optimise soil carbon management and enhance overall land sustainability. 

This initiative includes the Soil CRC’s Soil Carbon Capacity Building Webinar Series, which provides a range of resources, data, and tools to help NSW land managers uncover their property’s soil carbon potential. The webinar series provides an opportunity for farmers, landowners, and advisors to attend free webinars and learn about the latest soil carbon data resources, how to conduct soil carbon studies, and discover techniques to ensure the reliability and accuracy of soil carbon data.  

Lead Researchers

• Dr Karl Andersson (Soil Scientist – NSW DPIRD) 

Karl is a soil scientist with 25 years’ experience throughout NSW. Karl has worked in regions from the high rainfall to the semi-arid zones, in fields including soil mapping, agronomy, soil carbon, nutrient cycling, and irrigation, dryland and urban development. Based at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Karl works to enhance soil management practices within the NSW agricultural sector and is an experienced researcher and communicator of soil carbon information. 

• Dr Abe Gibson (Research Fellow – Southern Cross University)  

Abe Gibson is a research fellow at Southern Cross University with extensive expertise in soil sciences, particularly focusing on soil chemistry, soil carbon sequestration, and climate change processes. His work emphasizes improving soil health and productivity, while exploring sustainable strategies to enhance carbon capture in agricultural systems. Abe's research aims to integrate these findings into practical management techniques for farmers, making a measurable impact on both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.