EDAFOLOGIA, Vol. 11 (3), pp. 252-265, 2004


IMPLICACIONES DE LA VARIABILIDAD ESPACIAL Y TEMPORAL DEL CARBONO ORGÁNICO DEL SUELO EN EL DISEÑO DE LAS REDES DE SEGUIMIENTO


M. CAMPS ARBESTAIN, M. PINTO.

NEIKER. Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario. Berreaga, 1. 48160- Derio, Bizkaia. (mcamps@neiker.net)

 


Abstract

The Kyoto Protocol allows the signatory countries (Parties) to discount greenhouse gas sequestration that is induced by supplementary activities, from their greenhouse gas emissions. Such activities mainly induce C sequestration in soils and biomass. Variations in soil organic C stocks must therefore be included in the reports to be submitted by the Parties during the commitment period. The temporal and spatial heterogeneity of soil organic C stocks, combined with the different sampling criteria and analytical techniques used to date, make the detection of any changes a difficult challenge. In this study we present a review of the involvement of temporal and spatial variability of soil organic C stocks in the design of the monitoring systems, and we propose a plan for soil sampling and monitoring of soil C changes that can be readily implemented on a regional/national scale.