Modelling of C stock development for assessing the feasibility and implications of humus build-up in humus-oriented farming

Soil and groundwater resources in the North Sea region are under increasing pressure due to climate change and human activities, calling for the need of sound strategies for their sustainable protection. The EU Interreg North Sea Project "Blue Transition" targets at a systemic change that balances activities in urban, agricultural or natural areas. It considers a transition in land-use and fosters political structures and governance, investigating 16 pilot sites in Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, France and Germany to exchange and develop transnational solutions for water boards, farmers, authorities and society.

Within the project, we conduct scenario-based simulations (some based on strip experiments) regarding humus build-up under climate-induced rising temperatures and leaching from humus decomposition in arable soils in Lower Saxony, comparing conventional and organic farming. The aim of our study is an improvement of soil management in conventional and organic farming – especially regarding humus build-up and N loss reduction from soil. The results will serve as a base for elaborating best practices in management strategies for humus-oriented farming, and for investigating implications on soil water. We show first approaches of the numerical simulations.