Impact of the Soil Component: From Profile to Landscape

The soil component aims to quantify, understand, and enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in tropical production systems by integrating experimental evidence with geospatial analysis tools that enable scaling results from plot to landscape.

Through this approach, the research not only evaluates how different systems—such as rice monocultures, improved pastures, and crop rotations—affect carbon dynamics but also identifies spatial patterns in the Colombian Orinoquia region. These results represent partial progress, as evaluations continue in field trials located in Valle del Cauca and within the Orinoquia itself.

An Integrated Approach: Experimentation + Spatial Analytics

This component combines field trials with advanced analytical tools to understand SOC stabilization mechanisms along the soil profile and its spatial variability. Key approaches include:

Assessment of carbon fractions, such as particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC).
Use of stable isotopes (¹³C) to determine carbon persistence and origin in the soil.
Monitoring of SOC at different depths, up to 100 cm.
Development of digital soil mapping models based on artificial intelligence and remote sensing.

This approach enables the integration of georeferenced and harmonized data, consolidating physical, chemical, and biological soil variables to generate a robust understanding of carbon dynamics in tropical productive landscapes.

Component Progress

Key results include:

High-resolution maps of SOC stocks and soil texture at different depths (0–30 and 30–100 cm).
Spatial identification of carbon saturation potential and sequestration “hotspots.”
Estimation of the maximum achievable SOC potential under tropical savanna conditions.
Development of methodological frameworks and standardized protocols that improve measurement consistency and comparability.
Application of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for SOC estimation and mapping.

These advances strengthen the scientific foundation for understanding soil carbon dynamics and their relationship with production systems.

Impact on Production Systems

The results show that:

Crop rotations promote SOC accumulation, particularly within the top 30 cm of the soil profile.
Soil ecological functionality is improved, including macrofauna biodiversity.

Overall, these findings confirm the potential of these systems as effective mitigation strategies.

Projection

This component establishes a strong foundation for further advancing the understanding of carbon sequestration in tropical soils through:

Continuous monitoring of field trials.
Strengthening methodologies for soil carbon assessment.
Generating spatial information to better understand SOC variability across different productive landscapes.

In the future, these efforts will contribute to consolidating sustainable soil management strategies and enhancing the resilience of production systems.