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Soil Carbon Sequestration

RESOURCES › DECARBONIZATION & CARBON MANAGEMENT

Enhancing Soil Health, Agricultural Yields, and Carbon Sequestration

Soil carbon management represents a natural, high-capacity pathway to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) while simultaneously improving the fertility, water retention, and long-term resilience of agricultural working lands. By building Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) through conservation agronomy, cover cropping, foliar applications, and pyrogenic carbon amendments (such as biochar), Louisiana landowners can transform soils into active carbon sinks while earning ecosystem service credits.

Key Pillars & Carbon Management Pathways

Optimizing soil carbon storage integrates agricultural practices with advanced soil chemistry across three core domains:

Regenerative Agronomy & Soil Organic Matter (SOM)

Implementing reduced tillage, foliar management, perennial root covers, and organic crop rotations that capture carbon via photosynthesis and deposit it into stable humic compounds via root exudates and microbial activity.

Biochar & Soil Amendments

Applying engineered biochar or biocoal produced from agricultural biomass (such as sugarcane bagasse or forestry residues) to permanently lock recalcitrant carbon in the soil matrix for hundreds of years while boosting Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC).

Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)

Utilizing field sampling, flux towers, and remote sensing protocols to accurately quantify net carbon accrual, enabling verification under recognized carbon credit registries.

Explore the Soil Carbon Resource Repository

Access all peer-reviewed literature, state technical reports, and workshop presentation slide decks.

View All Resources →

Funding & Acknowledgments

The Louisiana Energy Extension Service (LEES) is primarily funded via the State of Louisiana through legislative support approved by Gov. Jeff Landry, EIL-based funding, and donations from various industry stakeholders.