Soil Carbon / Health Assessment

We utilize satellite imagery to identify sampling locations and monitor changes over time. Precise GPS allows for accurate site targeting, and samples collected undergo direct %C analysis, bypassing %OM estimates.

Targeted Sampling and Direct Carbon Analysis

Satellite layers to assess variability and select sampling sites

GPS for exact site location and repeated sampling to monitor changes

Collect samples from depths of 30 cm to 1 meter with standardized methods

Lab analysis for direct %C measurement, avoiding %OM proxies

All samples are properly weighed, air dried, and sent to an outside lab for SOM or %C testing. SACRA generally recommends the %C dry combustion testing (vs. SOM) in order to estimate carbon stocks.

The soil carbon level of each sample is then correlated to the initial satellite data layers used to determine the sampling locations. Layers are examined and compared to soil carbon data to use the strongest correlations to estimate soil carbon across the area of study.

The methods used in the soil carbon quantification study are derived from highly credited scientific literature and are accepted by most carbon registries.

Of the services SACRA offers, Soil Carbon Quantifications fluctuate the most in price/hectare given the different sampling densities needed for different landscape types.

Scientific Credibility

At SACRA, we base our methodologies on rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific research to ensure the highest standard of accuracy and reliability. Our team integrates data collection with cutting-edge techniques, drawing from established studies to validate our approach in environmental monitoring, land assessment, and carbon capture analysis.

Our methods align with industry standards and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in fields like agroforestry, remote sensing, and carbon sequestration. Below is a selection of the key scientific papers and references that underpin our work:

Gregorich, E. G., & Carter, M. R. (Eds.). (2007). Soil sampling and methods of analysis. CRC Press.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2019). Soil Health Assessment Tools.

IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. In Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Hao, X., et al. (2016). Carbon sequestration in soils of agroecosystems: A review of potential benefits and challenges. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 36(1), 2.

This commitment to scientific integrity ensures that the insights we provide to clients are not only accurate but also aligned with the most recent advancements in the field.