To predict the response of C-rich soils to external change, models are needed that accurately
reflect the conditions of these soils. Estimation of Carbon in Organic Soils—Sequestration and
Emissions (ECOSSE) is a model that allows simulations of soil C and N turnover in both mineral and
organic soils using only the limited meteorological, land-use and soil data that is available at the
national scale. Because it is able to function at field as well as national scales if appropriate input data
are used, field-scale evaluations can be used to determine uncertainty in national simulations. Here
we present an evaluation of the uncertainty expected in national-scale simulations of Scotland, using
data from the National Soil Inventory of Scotland. This data set provides measurements of C change
for the range of soils, climates and land-use types found across Scotland. The simulated values show
a high degree of association with the measurements in both total C and change in C content of the
soil. Over all sites where land-use change occurred, the average deviation between the simulated
and measured values of percentage change in soil C was less than the experimental error (11% simulation
error, 53% measurement error). This suggests that the uncertainty in the national-scale simulations
will be ~11%. Only a small bias in the simulations was observed compared to the measured
values, suggesting that a small underestimate of the change in soil C should be expected at the
national scale (–4%
Is data on this page outdated, violates copyrights or anything else? Report the problem now and we will take corresponding actions after reviewing your request.