Why does soil carbon matter?

Ag Matters

This short video features soil scientist Louis Schipper explaining what soil carbon is, why it matters for both farm productivity and the climate, and why boosting it can be tricky. You’ll learn how carbon moves into soil through photosynthesis and back out via respiration, and why keeping ground covered is critical. It also describes possible on-farm actions like mixing plantain, chicory or tall fescue into pastures to send more carbon below ground. 

Ag Matters
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Have you thought about

Soil

  • Soil carbon science

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    Follow the science of how carbon builds up in soil, and why NZ's stocks are unusually high.

  • Soil carbon - Why soil matters for climate change

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    Learn how soil carbon impacts climate change and things you can do on your farm to offset your emissions.

  • Soil health and carbon

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    Discover why New Zealand's soil already holds so much carbon, and why more is hard to add.

Sustainability

  • On-farm actions - Soil carbon

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    Explore ways to boost soil carbon through diverse plants, better grazing, and smart irrigation.

  • Ag Matters: Why does methane matter?

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    Learn about sources of methane and how it influences the climate.

  • Ag Matters: Why does nitrous oxide matter?

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    Learn about nitrous oxide, its effects, and ways to cut emissions in farming.

Greenhouse gas

  • On-farm potential actions

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    Explore actions New Zealand farmers can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions effectively.

  • How livestock affect the carbon cycle

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    Learn how livestock impact the carbon cycle and climate in New Zealand agriculture.

  • Greenhouse gas emissions factsheets

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    Factsheets about farm greenhouse gas emissions, feeds, methane control, soil carbon, and more.

An alternative perspective

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    Discover how many jobs green kiwifruit could support on the whenua in your rohe.

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    Discover which paddocks grow the most feed and why some fall short.

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