Soil organic carbon stocks potentially at risk of decline with organic farming expansion

The authors simulated the impact of organic farming expansion on soil organic carbon. They found that soil organic carbon stock may be at risk of decline if the complete conversion to organic farming does not involve additional practices such as widespread cover cropping and residue recycling. Organic farming is often considered a strategy that increases croplands' soil organic carbon (SOC) stock. However, organic farms currently occupy only a small fraction of cropland, and it is unclear how the full-scale expansion of organic farming will impact soil carbon inputs and SOC stocks. Here we use a spatially explicit biogeochemical model to show that the complete conversion of global cropland to organic farming without the use of cover crops and plant residue (normative scenario) will result in a 40% reduction of global soil carbon input and 9% decline in SOC stock. An optimal organic scenario that supports widespread cover cropping and enhanced residue recycling will reduce global soil carbon input by 31%, and SOC can be preserved after 20 yr following conversion to organic farming. These results suggest that expanding organic farming might reduce the potential for soil carbon sequestration unless appropriate farming practices are implemented.

Automated summary

The authors simulated the impact of organic farming expansion on soil organic carbon and found that without additional practices such as cover cropping and residue recycling, there may be a decline in soil organic carbon stock. Expanding organic farming without these practices could result in a 40% reduction in global soil carbon input and 9% decline in SOC stock. However, implementing widespread cover cropping and residue recycling can preserve SOC after conversion to organic farming.