The carbon content of soil and its geographical distribution in Great Britain

Abstract

Abstract. England and Wales have 155 314 1 × 1 km squares, of which 140049 have more than 50% soil cover. The total soil organic carbon content, based on the dominant soil series and dominant land cover type, is estimated to be 2773 × 106 t C. Scotland has 84929 1 × 1 km squares, of which 82 420 have a nominated dominant soil series. The total soil organic carbon content is estimated to be 19011 × 106 t C, 6.85 times the total organic carbon content of the soil of England and Wales. The total organic carbon content of the soil of Great Britain is estimated to be 21 784 × 106 t C, of which 87% is in Scottish soils and 75% is in Scottish peats.A map of the mean soil organic carbon content of 10 × 10 km squares of the National Grid using classes of equal range illustrates the narrow range of organic carbon contents of the soils of England and Wales and the dominance of organic carbon in Scottish soils. A map using the same data, but with classes of unequal ranges increasing in size with increasing carbon content, is better for showing detailed differences within England and Wales.