Biomass Production
To build up topsoil we need fast growing plants. They collect CO2 from the air and produce Carbon and Oxygen during their life cycle. The carbon stays in the plants. If the plant would be burned the carbon would go into the atmosphere again. But when the plants are transformed to Biochar, and this Biochar is used with compost to improve topsoil quality the carbon stays in the ground for a very long time. And this is how Terra Preta is formed.
Parts of this Biomass is transformed to Biochar
- Enhances Soil Fertility:
- Increases Soil Carbon Content:
- Sequesters Carbon: Biochar is stable and can sequester carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, helping to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
- Enhances Soil Organic Matter: Adding biochar increases the organic matter in the soil, improving soil structure and fertility.
- Improves Soil Water Retention:
- Increases Soil Porosity: The porous nature of biochar enhances soil aeration and water retention, leading to better plant growth, especially in sandy or low-fertility soils.
- Reduces Soil Erosion: Improved soil structure reduces the risk of soil erosion by increasing the soil’s ability to retain water.
- Enhances Microbial Activity:
- Supports Beneficial Microorganisms: Biochar provides a habitat for soil microbes, which play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and overall soil health.
- Improves Soil Biodiversity: The presence of biochar can increase the diversity and abundance of beneficial soil organisms, such as fungi and bacteria.
- Balances Soil pH:
- Acts as a Soil Conditioner: Biochar can help neutralize acidic soils, bringing the pH to a level that is more suitable for plant growth.
- Reduces Soil Acidity: By buffering soil pH, biochar can reduce the need for lime and other soil amendments.
- Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
- Mitigates Emissions: Biochar can reduce the emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, from soils by altering microbial processes that produce these gases.
- Enhances Plant Growth:
- Promotes Root Development: Improved soil structure and nutrient availability can lead to better root development and overall plant health.
- Increases Crop Yields: The cumulative benefits of biochar can result in higher crop yields and improved agricultural productivity.
- Reduces Soil Contaminants
The forests we create again bind CO2
- Biomass collects CO2
- The biochar is used in the topsoil and stores CO2
- The new growing plants create more and more biomass and store more and more CO2
„We bind CO2 in Biomass, Biochar and the Forests we create„