Field-specific carbon footprint modelling for precision farming carbon management

Overview

This solution offers a methodology for creating field-specific carbon footprints by modelling CO2 emissions from agricultural soils based on their inherent spatial heterogeneity. Developed at the National Scientific Center Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry Research, the approach recognizes that CO2 emissions from soils depend significantly on temperature and moisture conditions, which in turn are shaped by microrelief patterns that remain constant across seasons. By combining initial detailed CO2 measurements with the stable structure of soil heterogeneity, the method enables spatial modelling of organic carbon losses, supporting carbon management under precision farming principles.

Technical specifications

Key methodology features:

• Repeated measurement of CO2 emission, soil temperature, and moisture content at a grid of sites (one site per hectare) across the field
• Statistical modelling of annual CO2 losses using data on soil organic carbon (SOC) content, moisture, and temperature
• Spatial modelling that incorporates microrelief as a stable structural factor influencing CO2 flux patterns
• Field surveys conducted separately in spring and autumn to capture seasonal variation in SOC distribution
• Carbon balance calculations to validate modelled CO2 losses against expected losses
• Validation on two common Ukrainian soil types: Chernozem and Phaeozem

Validation history:

• Annual SOC measurements at fixed 5x5 m sites over 5 years
• Monthly CO2 flux measurements over 3 years
• Detailed surveys of fields of 24 ha and 42 ha with identified SOC accumulation zones remaining constant over 3 consecutive years

Advantages over alternative approaches:

• Avoids the limitations of repeated SOC measurements, which show very slow changes and high variability
• Reduces reliance on expensive continuous direct CO2 emission monitoring by leveraging stable microrelief-based spatial structure
• Provides a practical balance between measurement cost and accuracy using traditional field methods

Technology readiness level

The methodology has been validated through field experiments on Chernozem and Phaeozem soils in Ukraine, with multi-year datasets on SOC changes and CO2 flux measurements. Results showed that annual CO2 losses correlated with expected losses from balance calculations, and local SOC accumulation zones remained spatially stable over 3 years. Future validation will focus on generating personal carbon footprints for individual fields through systematic CO2 flux, temperature, and moisture measurements during the warm period (March to October/November), followed by statistical and spatial modelling that accounts for microrelief. The team is open to exploring remote sensing integration but currently prioritizes traditional methods for greater accuracy.