The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place July 9, at noon CDT will feature Wenjuan Huang, assistant professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University. Huang’s research focuses on soil carbon and nutrient cycling in both nature and managed ecosystems to promote soil health. She integrates field measurements, lab incubation and mechanistic models to understand how plant-microbial-mineral interactions affect soil carbon persistence and nutrient availability/retention.

In the webinar, “Hidden Carbon Credits: Reducing Soil Organic Carbon Erosion with Cover Crops,” Huang will highlight research to quantify the reduction of organic carbon loss through erosion in fields planted with cover crops. She will also discuss global hot spots where cover crops could be highly effective in reducing erosion and carbon losses that are accelerated by erosion from croplands.

“Cover crops clearly reduce soil erosion, but the role this practice plays in carbon loss prevention is often overlooked,” said Huang. “We often focus on the plant carbon that cover crops add to the soil, but the ability to reduce carbon losses is also important. The amount of soil carbon retained and where cover crops will work most effectively for this purpose is still unclear, but ongoing research is seeking to clarify best practices and quantify benefits. 

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.