Module for quantifying organic carbon stocks using digital soil mapping: calibration, validation, and uncertainty estimation

VM0042, v2.0 specifies that additional guidance is required to use remote-sensing informed methods for quantifying soil organic carbon stocks (SOC).

The proposed module provides guidance for the development, calibration, and validation of data-driven modeling methods to estimate SOC stocks in a spatially explicit manner, including model uncertainty estimations and deductions. The module allows for using a wide range of remote sensing technologies, geospatial data, and statistical methods demonstrated through peer review to predict organic carbon content in the soil. The module is intended to be used along with VM0042 Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management, v2.0, and potentially other methodologies that quantify SOC stocks in agricultural lands.

The proposed module was submitted by Perennial Climate Inc. (opens on external site) and is currently at “Step 3: Draft Methodology Development” of the VCS Methodology Development and Review Process, 4.3 (PDF).

Stakeholders interested in collaborating during methodology development or developing projects that this methodology might enable are encouraged to contact methodologies@verra.org. Please include the Methodology Development ID# CN0137 in the subject line.