Soil scientists from the James Hutton Institute, Cranfield University, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, have contributed to the development of the first Global Soil Organic Carbon (GSOC) map, launched today (World Soil Day 2017), by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The map is the first of its kind to be produced on a common grid for the whole planet and involved over 100 countries. It allows areas of degraded soil, and areas where there may be potential for soils to store more carbon, to be identified. Storing carbon in soils can help reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, helping mitigate climate change.
You can find out more from the James Hutton Institute News article and at the FAO GSOC map website . You can also watch a short video about the map.
World Soil Day is held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources. For more information visit the FAO World soils day website.
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