Why is soil sampling essential?

Initiating a soil carbon project requires first establishing a baseline level of soil organic carbon (SOC) in your soil. This baseline, essential for projects adhering to the Soil Carbon Method within the Emissions Reduction Fund, marks the commencement of tracking soil carbon enhancements.

Key elements of this baseline include:

• The carbon emissions from farm operations.
• The existing carbon stored within your soil.

In essence, your project earns benefits for any increase in SOC, after accounting for any rise in emissions from farm operations.

Measurement of soil carbon stocks and increases (Source: ERF Soil Carbon Method 2021) 

Soil sampling plays a pivotal role here; it’s the process through which the present SOC levels within your project area are accurately measured. This foundational step is crucial for understanding and enhancing your soil’s carbon storage capabilities.

 

What steps are involved in soil sampling?

Here’s a step-by-step guide for landholders on preparing for baseline soil sampling:

1. Pre-baseline Sampling (Optional): It’s advised to conduct an initial round of sampling before fully committing to the baseline process. By taking core samples from various locations in your proposed project area, you’ll gain insights into the complete soil profile, including Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) levels, bulk density, gravel content, and variability. This preliminary step is invaluable for crafting a well-informed Land Management Strategy (LMS) and making more accurate predictions about carbon abatement. Essentially, it offers a comprehensive overview of the soil conditions you’ll be working with.
2. Develop and Register Your LMS: Before proceeding, prepare your Land Management Strategy and officially register your project. You can’t start the baseline process until your project registration is complete.
3. Map Your Project Area: Create a detailed geospatial map that delineates your project area into Carbon Estimation Areas (CEAs) based on similar characteristics, such as expected soil carbon development zones and exclusions like emission zones. This map should also categorize CEAs into strata, grouping areas by identical features like land management practices and soil types.
4. Choose Your Sampling Approach: Opt for a method of random sampling, such as employing a software like FarmLab, which aligns with ERF standards by generating randomized sampling points.
5. Submit Your Sample Plan: After preparing your sampling strategy, submit the plan for approval to the relevant regulatory body.
6. Inform the Regulator: Before collecting samples, notify the regulator about the specific locations where you plan to take samples.
7. Arrange for Sampling and Analysis: Schedule a time with professional contractors who specialize in soil sampling and laboratory analysis.
8. Conduct Sampling: With everything in place, proceed with the soil sampling as per your plan. Further details on this process will be provided.

This structured approach ensures that soil sampling is conducted efficiently and effectively, laying a solid foundation for your soil carbon project.

 

What does this look like?

 

Understanding Carbon Estimation Areas (CEAs).

The concept of Carbon Estimation Areas (CEAs) is pivotal in managing soil carbon projects. Variability in soil carbon stocks within a property arises due to differences in both current and historical land use, as well as soil types. To address this, projects are divided into various CEAs.

Selection of CEAs is generally influenced by previous land use patterns, biophysical characteristics of the land, and the diversity of eligible practices planned for implementation throughout the project.

Navigating the intricacies of CEAs can be challenging, but our expertise in soil sampling is at your disposal to identify the most effective number of CEAs for your project.

Dealing with soil variability.

In addition to the variability addressed by CEAs, the natural diversity in soil types across a property also plays a critical role. For instance, soil near water bodies might be richer in nutrients and organic matter compared to the more nutrient-poor soils found on elevated terrains.

To manage this diversity, we employ a process known as stratification, dividing each CEA into strata based on soil types. It’s crucial that each stratum within a CEA follows a uniform land management approach, such as the application of no-till practices across all areas within a specific stratum.

Our collaboration with FarmLab enhances our ability to create detailed stratification maps. Utilizing their advanced, data-driven software, we’re able to develop comprehensive stratification plans that accurately reflect the unique characteristics of each project area.

Through this strategic approach, incorporating both CEAs and stratification, we ensure a more accurate and effective management of soil carbon variability within your project.

 

Addressing variability in soil carbon and its implications.

It’s a given that soil carbon levels will fluctuate across agricultural lands, a phenomenon independent of project interventions. Yet, the Regulator imposes penalties for significant inconsistencies in soil carbon across different strata. These penalties are based on adjustments to soil carbon change estimates when it’s determined that observed variations result from ‘sampling noise’ or irregularities, not from actual changes in land management practices.

The principle here is straightforward: the more uniform the increase in your soil’s carbon content across different samples, the lesser the penalty. The exact penalty rate is determined by a sophisticated formula and varies from one project to another. By carefully planning the division of your land into Carbon Estimation Areas (CEAs) from the outset, you enhance your understanding of soil carbon distribution across your property, thereby minimizing the risk of penalties on your carbon credits.

 

Determining the ideal number of CEAs.

Establishing the right number of CEAs is a balancing act. It requires aligning your farm’s goals with the need for operational flexibility and cost management, all while considering the inherent variability of your land. The goal is to achieve an optimal structure that supports precise soil carbon measurement and maximization, without imposing unnecessary burdens or constraints on your project.

Additional considerations for your project.

It’s important to align your soil sampling strategy with your project’s aims and the specific characteristics of your land. The depth at which you measure soil organic carbon (SOC) gains is crucial and should be consistent across your Carbon Estimation Area (CEA). You have the option to measure at two different levels:

• Depth 1: From the surface down to 30cm
• Depth 2: From 30cm up to 100cm, or the maximum depth achievable within this range if 100cm is not feasible.

Typically, the initial increases in SOC are observed in the top 30cm of soil. Over time, as SOC builds up, it begins to accumulate at deeper levels, up to a meter.

When selecting a depth for credit claims, remember that the Soil Carbon Method 2021 stipulates sampling must reach at least 30cm deep and may extend down to 100cm. Collaborating with an agronomist can be immensely beneficial for setting realistic goals for SOC enhancement at different soil depths, ensuring your project’s success and compliance with guidelines.

 

Proceeding with soil sample collection.

To accurately collect soil samples, please follow these guidelines:

1. Expert Selection: An independent expert, well-versed in the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) sampling protocols and without any financial ties to the project or involvement in preparing your Land Management Strategy (LMS), must perform the sampling. If you need assistance locating a suitable expert, we’re here to assist.
2. Sampling Method: Use a specialized machine to insert coring tubes into the soil, which then extracts the core samples. This process should be manual to ensure precision.
3. Choosing Sampling Locations: Aim for areas on your project site that allow for straightforward sampling to a minimum depth of 30cm, avoiding locations with rocky terrain or shallow soils.
4. Lab Analysis: Send the collected soil samples to a laboratory for detailed analysis. This step is crucial for traditional soil testing and obtaining a comprehensive baseline of your soil’s condition.

Upon receiving your analysis results, you’ll have a detailed understanding of your project’s baseline, enabling you to proceed with informed planning.

Throughout your project, periodic soil sampling will assess the efficacy of your management strategies as outlined in your LMS. It’s necessary to update your LMS every five years to reflect any adjustments in your SOC enhancement efforts, or every ten years for projects with a 25-year crediting period, and similarly if you’re committed to a 100-year permanence project.

Given the complexities of soil sampling, we strongly advise consulting with us for a thorough understanding of the Clean Energy Regulator’s specifications. This ensures your strategy is perfectly aligned with your objectives to increase SOC. We are eager to support you during the baseline sampling phase and beyond, ensuring a seamless process.

 

Next steps after baselining.

With the completion of your baselining process, it’s time to roll out your new land management practices! Remember, it’s essential to conduct soil sampling and reporting at minimum every five years. This is necessary not only to track and verify improvements in soil organic carbon (SOC) but also to ensure your Land Management Strategy (LMS) remains up-to-date with any changes in your management approaches.

Opportunities for Grants.

Interested in soil sampling? You might qualify for the Pilot Soil Monitoring and Incentives Program, which offers grants up to $10,000 for soil sampling activities. Additionally, if you’ve previously conducted soil sampling, the $10,000 Historical Soil Data Capture Payments Program could also be an option for you. Explore these opportunities to contribute data to the Australian National Soil Information System (ANSIS).

For those involved in Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) projects, there’s a chance to obtain a $5,000 advance payment to assist with the costs of soil sampling. Find out more about these grant opportunities and how you can apply here!