Harmonizing soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA of agricultural systems

Simone Pelaracci; Pietro Goglio; Simon Moakes; Marie Trydeman Knudsen; Klara Van Mierlo; Nina Adams; Fossey Maxime; Alberto Maresca; Manuel Romero-Huelva; Muhammad Ahmed Waqas; Laurence G. Smith; Frank Willem Oudshoorn; Thomas Nemecek; Camillo de Camillis; Giampiero Grossi; Ward Smith

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361

Harmonizing soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA of agricultural systems

Simone Pelaracci^*, Pietro Goglio, Simon Moakes, Marie Trydeman Knudsen, Klara Van Mierlo, Nina Adams, Fossey Maxime, Alberto Maresca, Manuel Romero-Huelva, Muhammad Ahmed Waqas, Laurence G. Smith, Frank Willem Oudshoorn, Thomas Nemecek, Camillo de Camillis, Giampiero Grossi, Ward Smith

^*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Institut for Agroøkologi - Jordbrugssystemer og Bæredygtighed
iCLIMATE Aarhus University Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change - iCLIMATE Aarhus University Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change, Foulum

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift/Konferencebidrag i tidsskrift /Bidrag til avis › Review › Forskning › peer review

Abstract

CONTEXT: The increasing demand for animal products, coupled with the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production, highlights the urgency for effective mitigation strategies for livestock systems, including the cropping systems. Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, a crucial approach for reducing atmospheric GHG concentrations, is often underrepresented in Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of agricultural systems, largely due to methodological challenges in accurately accounting for soil carbon dynamics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA, with the aim of developing a harmonized approach for including soil carbon change in agricultural LCAs. The goals were to: i) assess soil carbon simulation models, emissions factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems; ii) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these models; iii) provide recommendations for LCA practitioners; and iv) identify areas for future methodological improvements. METHODS: A systematic review of soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems was conducted, obtaining 263 relevant articles from an initial pool of 29,151. In addition to direct measurements, fifteen soil carbon simulation models and three methods based on emission factors were identified and categorized into three tiers based on complexity and data requirements. A modified Delphi participatory process was used to evaluate each method against established criteria through expert workshops. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed an inverse relationship between applicability and accuracy of methods, making the choice of methodology critical to achieving high-quality LCA results. Recommendations emphasize selecting methods based on objectives and data availability, while being aware of the effect of the initial soil carbon level and the assessment time period when using soil carbon simulation models. In addition, this study identified current methodological challenges in assessing soil C dynamics in LCA of agricultural systems. SIGNIFICANCE: This research provides a foundation for improving LCA practices and supports better decision-making in mitigating climate impacts of agricultural systems.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Artikelnummer	104361
Tidsskrift	Agricultural Systems
Vol/bind	227
Antal sider	11
ISSN	0308-521X
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361
Status	Udgivet - jun. 2025

Adgang til dokumentet

10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361

Andre filer og links

Link to publication in Scopus

Citationsformater

Pelaracci, S., Goglio, P., Moakes, S., Knudsen, M. T., Van Mierlo, K., Adams, N., Maxime, F., Maresca, A., Romero-Huelva, M., Waqas, M. A., Smith, L. G., Oudshoorn, F. W., Nemecek, T., de Camillis, C., Grossi, G., & Smith, W. (2025). Harmonizing soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA of agricultural systems. Agricultural Systems, 227, Artikel 104361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361

@article{bb7260bb9f08492f8de05843cc760126,

title = "Harmonizing soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA of agricultural systems",

abstract = "CONTEXT: The increasing demand for animal products, coupled with the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production, highlights the urgency for effective mitigation strategies for livestock systems, including the cropping systems. Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, a crucial approach for reducing atmospheric GHG concentrations, is often underrepresented in Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of agricultural systems, largely due to methodological challenges in accurately accounting for soil carbon dynamics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA, with the aim of developing a harmonized approach for including soil carbon change in agricultural LCAs. The goals were to: i) assess soil carbon simulation models, emissions factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems; ii) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these models; iii) provide recommendations for LCA practitioners; and iv) identify areas for future methodological improvements. METHODS: A systematic review of soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems was conducted, obtaining 263 relevant articles from an initial pool of 29,151. In addition to direct measurements, fifteen soil carbon simulation models and three methods based on emission factors were identified and categorized into three tiers based on complexity and data requirements. A modified Delphi participatory process was used to evaluate each method against established criteria through expert workshops. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed an inverse relationship between applicability and accuracy of methods, making the choice of methodology critical to achieving high-quality LCA results. Recommendations emphasize selecting methods based on objectives and data availability, while being aware of the effect of the initial soil carbon level and the assessment time period when using soil carbon simulation models. In addition, this study identified current methodological challenges in assessing soil C dynamics in LCA of agricultural systems. SIGNIFICANCE: This research provides a foundation for improving LCA practices and supports better decision-making in mitigating climate impacts of agricultural systems.",

keywords = "Cropping system, LCA, Livestock system, SOC change, Soil CO emissions",

author = "Simone Pelaracci and Pietro Goglio and Simon Moakes and Knudsen, {Marie Trydeman} and {Van Mierlo}, Klara and Nina Adams and Fossey Maxime and Alberto Maresca and Manuel Romero-Huelva and Waqas, {Muhammad Ahmed} and Smith, {Laurence G.} and Oudshoorn, {Frank Willem} and Thomas Nemecek and {de Camillis}, Camillo and Giampiero Grossi and Ward Smith",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Authors",

year = "2025",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361",

language = "English",

volume = "227",

journal = " Agricultural Systems",

issn = "0308-521X",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

}

Pelaracci, S, Goglio, P, Moakes, S, Knudsen, MT, Van Mierlo, K, Adams, N, Maxime, F, Maresca, A, Romero-Huelva, M, Waqas, MA, Smith, LG, Oudshoorn, FW, Nemecek, T, de Camillis, C, Grossi, G & Smith, W 2025, 'Harmonizing soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA of agricultural systems', Agricultural Systems, bind 227, 104361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361

TY - JOUR

T1 - Harmonizing soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA of agricultural systems

AU - Pelaracci, Simone

AU - Goglio, Pietro

AU - Moakes, Simon

AU - Knudsen, Marie Trydeman

AU - Van Mierlo, Klara

AU - Adams, Nina

AU - Maxime, Fossey

AU - Maresca, Alberto

AU - Romero-Huelva, Manuel

AU - Waqas, Muhammad Ahmed

AU - Smith, Laurence G.

AU - Oudshoorn, Frank Willem

AU - Nemecek, Thomas

AU - de Camillis, Camillo

AU - Grossi, Giampiero

AU - Smith, Ward

PY - 2025/6

Y1 - 2025/6

N2 - CONTEXT: The increasing demand for animal products, coupled with the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production, highlights the urgency for effective mitigation strategies for livestock systems, including the cropping systems. Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, a crucial approach for reducing atmospheric GHG concentrations, is often underrepresented in Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of agricultural systems, largely due to methodological challenges in accurately accounting for soil carbon dynamics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA, with the aim of developing a harmonized approach for including soil carbon change in agricultural LCAs. The goals were to: i) assess soil carbon simulation models, emissions factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems; ii) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these models; iii) provide recommendations for LCA practitioners; and iv) identify areas for future methodological improvements. METHODS: A systematic review of soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems was conducted, obtaining 263 relevant articles from an initial pool of 29,151. In addition to direct measurements, fifteen soil carbon simulation models and three methods based on emission factors were identified and categorized into three tiers based on complexity and data requirements. A modified Delphi participatory process was used to evaluate each method against established criteria through expert workshops. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed an inverse relationship between applicability and accuracy of methods, making the choice of methodology critical to achieving high-quality LCA results. Recommendations emphasize selecting methods based on objectives and data availability, while being aware of the effect of the initial soil carbon level and the assessment time period when using soil carbon simulation models. In addition, this study identified current methodological challenges in assessing soil C dynamics in LCA of agricultural systems. SIGNIFICANCE: This research provides a foundation for improving LCA practices and supports better decision-making in mitigating climate impacts of agricultural systems.

AB - CONTEXT: The increasing demand for animal products, coupled with the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock production, highlights the urgency for effective mitigation strategies for livestock systems, including the cropping systems. Soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, a crucial approach for reducing atmospheric GHG concentrations, is often underrepresented in Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of agricultural systems, largely due to methodological challenges in accurately accounting for soil carbon dynamics. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA, with the aim of developing a harmonized approach for including soil carbon change in agricultural LCAs. The goals were to: i) assess soil carbon simulation models, emissions factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems; ii) evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these models; iii) provide recommendations for LCA practitioners; and iv) identify areas for future methodological improvements. METHODS: A systematic review of soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCAs of agricultural systems was conducted, obtaining 263 relevant articles from an initial pool of 29,151. In addition to direct measurements, fifteen soil carbon simulation models and three methods based on emission factors were identified and categorized into three tiers based on complexity and data requirements. A modified Delphi participatory process was used to evaluate each method against established criteria through expert workshops. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results showed an inverse relationship between applicability and accuracy of methods, making the choice of methodology critical to achieving high-quality LCA results. Recommendations emphasize selecting methods based on objectives and data availability, while being aware of the effect of the initial soil carbon level and the assessment time period when using soil carbon simulation models. In addition, this study identified current methodological challenges in assessing soil C dynamics in LCA of agricultural systems. SIGNIFICANCE: This research provides a foundation for improving LCA practices and supports better decision-making in mitigating climate impacts of agricultural systems.

KW - Cropping system

KW - LCA

KW - Livestock system

KW - SOC change

KW - Soil CO emissions

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105003548839&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361

DO - 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104361

M3 - Review

AN - SCOPUS:105003548839

SN - 0308-521X

VL - 227

JO - Agricultural Systems

JF - Agricultural Systems

M1 - 104361

ER -

Harmonizing soil carbon simulation models, emission factors and direct measurements used in LCA of agricultural systems

Abstract

Adgang til dokumentet

Andre filer og links

Fingeraftryk

Citationsformater