Yale's 10% Sampling Boosts Soil Carbon Measurement

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Yale scientists proved farmers can accurately measure stored carbon in soil by testing just 10% of their fields, making carbon credits more reliable.

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Traditional carbon measurement relied on computer predictions, while Yale's method uses actual soil samples to verify carbon storage levels.

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Soil samples taken across large farms, even those spanning tens of thousands of acres, deliver trustworthy data about carbon storage patterns.

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Mark Bradford, Yale's soil ecology professor, validated that direct measurements work effectively for national emissions reporting and carbon tracking.

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Healthy soils with more carbon retain water better, preserve nutrients, and help farms survive extreme weather conditions.

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Eric Potash developed a web tool helping farmers calculate costs and profits for their soil carbon measurement projects.

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The measure-and-remeasure method supports carbon credit markets by providing solid evidence of how farming practices affect soil health.

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This scientific approach combines direct soil testing with study designs from epidemiology to track changes in soil carbon levels over time

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When farmers store more carbon in soil through smart practices like cover crops and no-till farming, they can earn carbon credits.

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