[Terrapreta] Soil Food Web

[Hunt, Tony]

Hi All

 

I've just been reading the discussion about Elaine Ingham's thoughts on
biochar and its benefits to soil (or lack thereof!).  The view She puts
forward, that "Charcoal, by itself, as an addition to soil, doesn't
contribute much besides physical structure" seems to miss the point that
physical structure is itself tremendously important to organisms.  The
comparison with coral reefs is an apt one, and I think that the
description of biochar addition to soil as "building a coral reef in the
soil" is spot on.  Coral reef itself is just a network structure of
calcium carbonate, and by itself adds little to the productivity of the
water column in which it is situated.  However, what it does do is
provide STRUCTURE in an environment that otherwise lacks it, and so a
water body characterised by low nutrient content and low biological
productivity (i.e. shallow tropical seas) instead becomes one of the
most diverse and productive ecosystems on earth.  Furthermore, this
effect can be reproduced artificially, as any number of artificial reefs
around the world has demonstrated.  Whether they are concrete
structures, sunken ships or just bunches of old tyres tied together,
they don't contribute anything but physical structure, yet they have a
startling effect on the productivity and biodiversity of the surrounding
water column.  I can't see any reason why adding biochar to soils that
are otherwise lacking in physical structure wouldn't have a similar
effect. 

 

Regards

 

Tony Hunt 
Transfield Services   
E: huntt at transfieldservices.com <mailto:huntt at transfieldservices.com>  



 


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