Biochar, climate change and soil report

Sohi S, Lopez-Capel E, Krull E, Bol R. 2009. Biochar, climate change and soil: A review to guide future research. CSIRO Land and Water Science Report 05/09. 65 pp.

Biochar is the charred by-product of biomass pyrolysis, the heating of plant-derived material in the absence of oxygen in order to capture combustible gases. The objective of this report was to review and evaluate published studies with regard to what evidence and arguments currently exist that assess the application of biochar to soil to a) sequester carbon and b) produce secondary agronomic benefits.

From the available published and peer-reviewed literature the report includes general findings for eight key questions. For each key question there remains major research questions that require the attention of researchers. This report summarises these outstanding research issues alongside the major findings.

The report includes:

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Biochar
  • What is biochar?
  • Biogeochemical characterisation of biochar
• Biochar application in agriculture
  • Biochar and climate change
  • Biochar, crop productivity and resource management
• Policy context and analysis
  • A framework to evaluate applications of biochar
  • Scenarios for the uptake of biochar for use in soil
  • Market intervention and carbon trading
  • Market acceptability issues
  • Research
• Research priorities and future challenges
  • Fundamental mechanisms
  • Properties, qualities and environmental risk assessment
  • Carbon cycle modelling 
  • Beneficiaries
  • Commentary on likely barriers to the adoption of a large scale enterprises utilising Biochar
• References.

Read CSIRO's Biochar fact sheet.

Contact Information

Editor's Choice

• Soils
• CSIRO Land and Water
• Managing Australia’s Soil and Landscape Assets (MASaLA)
• Biochar fact sheet
• Soil carbon: the basics
• International Biochar Initiative [External site]