Predicting Biochar Impact On Soil Carbon Dynamics and Soil Quality In EPIC Model.

Results of simulated impacts of climate change on agriculture envision reductions in crop yields as a result of increased temperature, water, and nutrient stresses and an overall deterioration of soil functions. Biochar is viewed as a potential long-term climate adapting / mitigating technique to reduce GHG emissions, improve soil physical properties, moisture, air and nutrient regimes, as well as sequester large quantities of carbon in the soil and increase crop yields. Most biochar studies have been performed on highly weathered soils, such as Oxisols, with no field studies testing biochar effects on U.S. Midwest soils. We are modifying the EPIC (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) model to simulate the behavior and functioning of biochar when applied to U.S. Midwest soils in terms of soil carbon sequestration, soil quality, and crop performance.  Preliminary literature analysis and algorithm formulations suggest that biochar may have the ability to impact soil properties through positive modification of the soil's carbon and nutrient balances. In the absence of existing full scale field studies of biochar’s impact on soils of temperate regions, simulation studies with a biochar-enhanced version of EPIC may be useful to evaluate the potential of this adaptation / mitigation technique and guide the design of much needed field experiments.