Articles | Volume 12, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-773-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-773-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original research article
| 
27 Jul 2026
Original research article |
| 27 Jul 2026
| 27 Jul 2026
Challenges in soil carbon modelling and measurement: a decade of experimental data vs. RothC simulations in an organic olive grove
Francisco Contreras
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
María L. Cayuela
CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
María Sánchez-García
CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Erika Ronchin
ICTP, Strada Costiera 11, 34151 Trieste, Italy
CREA Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Via Trieste 23, 34170 Gorizia, Italy
Claudio Mondini
CREA Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Via Trieste 23, 34170 Gorizia, Italy
Miguel A. Sánchez-Monedero
CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Related authors
Francisco Contreras, María L. Cayuela, Miguel A. Sánchez-Monedero, and Pedro Pérez-Cutillas
Biogeosciences, 22, 7625–7646, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7625-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7625-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents an exploratory approach to estimate above-ground biomass in Mediterranean olive orchards using satellite and laser data. A volumetric framework was developed to model biomass from tree structure and environmental variables, offering a scalable method to improve large-scale assessments of carbon storage in low-stature vegetation.
Francisco Contreras, María L. Cayuela, Miguel A. Sánchez-Monedero, and Pedro Pérez-Cutillas
Biogeosciences, 22, 7625–7646, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7625-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-7625-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents an exploratory approach to estimate above-ground biomass in Mediterranean olive orchards using satellite and laser data. A volumetric framework was developed to model biomass from tree structure and environmental variables, offering a scalable method to improve large-scale assessments of carbon storage in low-stature vegetation.
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Short summary
Reliable estimates of soil carbon storage are essential for climate change mitigation and carbon credit schemes. This study compared long-term field measurements with carbon model based simulations in an olive grove amended with organic materials. Both approaches identified biochar as the most effective treatment, but differences between measured and simulated values remained. Integrating measurements and modelling can improve confidence in agricultural carbon accounting.
Reliable estimates of soil carbon storage are essential for climate change mitigation and carbon...
