Equivalent Soil Mass and Mass Coordinate System in Soil Carbon Stock Determination
Date
2013-09
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Abstract
This study explores the concept of Equivalent Soil Mass (ESM) methods in assessing soil organic carbon (OC) masses, particularly in comparison with "fixed depth" assessments. Fixed depth assessments, which evaluate soil OC in specific depth increments, may produce invalid results when soil bulk density varies. ESM methods aim to correct these errors by standardizing soil mass comparisons over time and treatments. The paper discusses the work of Lee et al. (2009) and their conclusions that ESM methods may fail when no initial OC masses are available. However, a reanalysis of the data suggests that ESM methods remain valid when applied correctly. This study underscores the importance of using equivalent soil masses for accurate comparisons in OC masses, providing insights into the proper application of ESM methods.
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Soil organic carbon