Carbon storage in soils
Résumé
Key points
• Carbon occurs in different forms in soils: in living organisms, dead organic matter with particulate organic matter, organic
molecules, and as inorganic carbon
• Soil carbon stock and soil carbon storage are different concepts: a carbon stock is quantified at a given date while its storage
is quantified over a period of time
• The carbon stock distribution across the planet is heterogeneous, and complex biotic and abiotic processes underlie its
dynamics
• For a given soil and climate, the largest stocks are found in forests and grasslands. In comparison, cultivated soils are carbon
depleted
• Land-use changes and agricultural practices have a major impact on soil carbon stocks: they may have negative, positive or
diverse effects on carbon storage, depending on climate and soil conditions
• Soil carbon storage provides socioeconomic benefits as targeted by five Sustainable Development Goals