[Stoves] [biochar] Capturing carbon in the timber industry

[Tom Miles]

Crispin,

 

Benefits tend to be specific to soils and circumstances. There has been lots
of research by forest soil scientists in the US West in recent years
(Montana, Idaho, Oregon). I know of a couple of private companies that are
doing field trials. 

 

The best documentation for the benefits of char is referenced on the website
of the International Biochar Initiative (www.biochar-international.org). We
also have considerable information at www.biochar.bioenergylists.org

Several biochar-in-forest-soil papers have been presented at the many
regional, national and international biochar, agronomy and soil science
conferences. 

 

Tom

 

From: stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Crispin
Pemberton-Pigott
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 2:35 AM
To: 'Discussion of biomass cooking stoves'
Subject: Re: [Stoves] [biochar] Capturing carbon in the timber industry

 

Dear AD

 

The proposal is that burying charcoal in the forest floor might improve the
forest yield. Perhaps it is limited by something else, say, water. I am
wondering if there is any support for the general claim that char in the
soil is beneficial, without worrying yet about whether it makes economic
sense.

 

The claims are fairly broad so I am interested in how and under what
circumstances it holds true.

 

Thanks

Crispin

 

+++++++++=

 

Dear Kevin,

the need of the hour is fuel. By leaving the branches, leaves and bark lying
on the forest floor, you sacrifice a large amount of energy. The soil has
enough minerals to support forestry and agriculture indefinitely. These
minerals have very low solubility in water, and therefore the root hairs of
the plants are not able to absorb them efficiently, but the soil
micro-organisms can absorb them much more efficiently, because they absorb
through their entire cell surface. The microbes then make the mineral
nutrients available to plants. It is an accepted fact that there exists a
positive correlation between the number of soil microbes per g soil and the
soil fertility. Applying about 50 kg green leaves to the soil, once every
three months, is enough to maintain a high microbial population density in
the soil. 
Yours

Anand

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