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Evaluating Stratification Approaches for Enhanced Soil Carbon Monitoring in Sandy Soils under Government Crediting Schemes

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Monday, July 21, 2025
11:56 AM - 12:08 PM

Overview

Kirsten Ball | Carbon Sync


Speaker

Dr Kirsten Ball
Director Of Research
Carbon Sync

Evaluating Stratification Approaches for Enhanced Soil Carbon Monitoring in Sandy Soils under Government Crediting Schemes

Abstract

Stratification is increasingly employed in Australian soil carbon projects to enhance monitoring precision by dividing landscapes into homogeneous zones based on environmental characteristics. However, these methods remain largely unvalidated in sandy soils, which dominate significant agricultural regions in Australia and pose unique challenges due to inherently low carbon storage and high variability.

This study developed and evaluated a stratification methodology specifically tailored for sandy soils within the Australian Carbon Farming Initiative framework. We used environmental raster datasets relevant to sandy landscapes (e.g., slope, vegetation indices, radiometric data, topographical wetness) and a composite feature derived from random forest modelling of critical SOC drivers. K-means clustering delineated strata, validated using variance and coefficient of variation metrics. Sampling points were allocated through stratified random sampling, and SOC data from sandy soils were analysed to assess effectiveness.

Field sampling across agricultural projects characterised by sandy soils identified key landscape features influencing stratification performance. Results demonstrated the tailored approach significantly constrained SOC variation, highlighting its potential as a cost-effective tool for managing variability. Future work should prioritise identifying optimal landscape features for sandy soil stratification using high-resolution remote sensing, proximal sensing technologies, and machine learning.

Despite promising outcomes, further validation specifically for sandy soils is needed to ensure scientific rigour and transparency. Robust, soil-specific approaches are essential to uphold the integrity and accountability of soil carbon farming and crediting schemes globally.

Biography

Dr. Kirsten Ball is a soil biogeochemist with over a decade of experience in soil science, precision agriculture, and carbon sequestration research. She holds a joint PhD in Plant and Soil Science from Western Sydney University and the University of Aberdeen, specialising in soil organic and inorganic carbon cycling and soil carbon modeling. Her professional experience spans academia, industry, and government projects in Australia, the U.S., and Europe.
Miss Kwan Yu Chuk Yu Chuk
Gis Technician
The University of Western Australia

Evaluating Stratification Approaches for Enhanced Soil Carbon Monitoring in Sandy Soils under Government Crediting Schemes

Biography

Kwan Yu is currently studying her Master’s degree at the University of Western Australia, specialising in Sensing and Spatial Data Science. Her research focuses on the carbon and water cycle in dryland. She has a strong foundation in geospatial technologies and spatial analysis.
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