The Global Soil Water related with Carbon Dynamics

• Grant number: 25/00597-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Grantee: Letícia Guadagnin Vogel
• Host Institution: CENTRO ESTUDOS CARBONO AGRICULTURA TROPICAL/USP
• Associated research grant: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), AP.CEPID

Abstract

Soil available water (AW) depends on soil physical attributes such as texture, structure and composition, and is a determining factor for plant development. The relationship between soil water availability and carbon dynamics is essential to understanding soil carbon fluxes and their role in the global carbon cycle, especially in the face of climate change. This work aims to investigate this relationship on a global scale, considering different biomes, management practices and climate scenarios. The methodology is structured in four main steps: (1) Data collection and preparation, where global databases on soil properties, organic carbon, climate, vegetation cover and land use will be consolidated, in addition to the selection of representative study areas; (2) Development of maps and models, with the elaboration of global maps of soil available water capacity and the integration of agrohydrological models, machine learning models and neural networks to correlate soil water with carbon stocks; (3) Assessment of carbon impacts and fluxes, with analysis of the effects of different soil water levels on CO¿ and CH¿ fluxes, highlighting impacts on biomes and agricultural systems, as well as under extreme climate events; and (4) Integration, communication and application, where the results will be synthesized in maps, scientific publications, interactive tools and practical recommendations for sustainable soil management. This study is expected to contribute to the global understanding of water-carbon interactions, providing subsidies for the mitigation of climate change and the formulation of sustainable public policies.