Elliott, E. T., K. Paustian, H. P. Collins, E. A. Paul, C. V. Cole, I. C. Burke, R. L. Blevins, D. J. Lyon, W. W. Frye, A. D. Halvorson, D. R. Huggins, R. F. Turco, M. Hickman, C. A. Monz, and S. D. Frey. 1994. Terrestrial carbon pools: preliminary data from the Corn Belt and Great Plains regions. Pages 179-191Defining Soil Quality for a Sustainable Environment. Soil Science Society of America, Special publication number 35, Madison, WI

Soil organic matter is recognized as an important component of soil quality through its influence on soil physical properties and the cycling of nutrients. Interest in soil organic matter has expanded to include its role in the worldwide C budget and climate change. The research described here was initiated to help assess the potential for C sequestration in agricultural soils of the Great Plains and Corn Belt regions to ameliorate the buildup of atmospheric CO2. In addition, a better understanding of what factors govern soil organic matter pool sizes is relevant to the assessment of soil quality and its response to management.

DOI: 10.2136/sssaspecpub35.c12

Associated Treatment Areas:

Regional or Synthesis

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