Combining extensive land-use histories with Germany's nationwide uniform inventory of agricultural and forest soils, this research investigates the impact of land-use history and land-use change on soil organic carbon dynamics. As part of the European Joint Project for Sustainable Soil Management, the results have implications for federal emissions reporting and aim to broaden our understanding of the impact of anthropogenic changes to natural soils.
Related publication: Emde et al. 2025 and 2024, Seitz et al. 2025
Carbon that has formed organo-mineral complexes with silt and clay particles is believed to be less susceptible to decay than non-complexed organic carbon. This research established a framework for estimating mineral associated organic carbon concentrations and mineral associated organic carbon deficits and, further, discusses the factors related to organo-mineral complexation in soils.
Related publications: Emde et al. 2022 and Midwood et al. 2021
Agricultural management practices effect a complex system of soil processes related to carbon storage. The impacts of most of these management practices are relatively well understood. This research investigates the understudied effects on soil organic carbon of cropping systems that incorporate irrigation and discusses avenues for future research.
Related publication: Emde et al. 2021, Midwood et al. 2020
