Aboveground carbon stock and soil properties of Dutch food forests: trends and connections

Abstract

This Major Research Project has investigated the connections between aboveground carbon storage and belowground properties of Dutch food forests. Aboveground carbon was measured for 22 food forests, and for the first time hedgerows were measured seperately in elligible forests. Belowground variables were assessed for 33 food forests, including soil chemical and physical analysis and worm count. Aboveground carbon stock showed near exponential growth after 5 years of establishment. The inclusion of hedgerow measurements has greatly increased the estimated carbon stock of young foor forests. Belowground variables were strongly related to soil type, but not to food forest age. A best-fit model analysis highlights the role of age, soil type and plant available sodium for the development of the aboveground carbon stock.