Rapid Carbon Assessment (RaCA)
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Introduction
The Rapid Carbon Assessment (RaCA) was initiated by the USDA-NRCS Soil Science Division in 2010 with the following objectives:
- To develop statistically reliable quantitative estimates of amounts and distribution of carbon stocks for U.S. soils under various land covers and to the extent possible, differing agricultural management.
- To provide data to support model simulations of soil carbon change related to land use change, agricultural management, conservation practices, and climate change.
- To provide a scientifically and statistically defensible inventory of soil carbon stocks for the U.S.
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To accomplish these objectives, 144,833 samples were collected from the upper 1 meter of 32,084 soil profiles at 6,017 randomly selected locations for measurement of organic and inorganic carbon by visible and near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy and bulk density by traditional methods. NRI sites were used as the basis for random selection of sample sites stratified by soil group within RaCA Region and land use/land cover (LULC) within soil group. Soil morphology and landscape characteristics were described at each site and limited vegetation and agricultural management information was collected from each location. Sample collection and analysis involved more than 300 soil scientists and assistance from 24 universities.
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Methodology, Sampling, and Summary
Rapid Carbon Assessment (RaCA): Methodology, Sampling, and Summary (PDF; 1.65 MB)
RaCA download (ZIP; 336 MB)
Data Gathering Documentation
Data Tables
RaCA samples (CSV; 41.1 MB)
RaCA general location (CSV; 145 KB)
— Locations of each site have been degraded due
to confidentiality and only reflect the general
position of each site
RaCA SOC pedons (CSV; 796 KB)
RaCA data columns (CSV; 7 KB)
RaCA download (ZIP; 336 MB)
Effort has been made to provide accurate and complete information. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be no errors. It is the user’s responsibility to understand the prediction methods and uncertainties that are associated with this data. Neither the U.S. Government, USDA, NRCS, or NSSC assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or process disclosed herein.
Maps
Soil Organic Carbon Stocks
Rapid Carbon Assessment Values Using SSURGO and NLCD Grids (PDF; 7.72 MB)
Geometric Means for Each RaCA Region (PDF; 2.82 MB)
Values for Each RaCA Site (PDF; 5.11 MB)
Cooperators
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University of Alaska
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University of Idaho
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Oregon State
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Tuskegee University
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University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
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Idaho State University
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Penn State University
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Utah State University
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University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff
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Louisiana State University
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Purdue University
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West Virginia University
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Auburn University
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University of Missouri
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University of Rhode Island
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University of Wisconsin
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Colorado State University
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University of Nebraska – Lincoln
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University of Tennessee – Martin
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University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
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University of Florida
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University of Nevada – Reno
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Tennessee Tech University
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University of Hawaii
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North Carolina State University
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Texas A&M (AgriLife)
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Recommended Data Citation
Soil Survey Staff. Rapid Carbon Assessment (RaCA) project. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Available online. June 1, 2013 (FY2013 official release).
