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There is a growing number of organisations involved in biochar research, development, demonstration and commercialisation. The following list is updated on a regular basis.

Umbrella organisations

International Biochar Initiative - The IBI provides a platform for the international exchange of information and activities in support of biochar research, development, demonstration and commercialisation.

Terra Preta Bioenergy Mailing List - a discussion forum where experts convene to exchange information on terra preta research and its modern variant, biochar. Includes data about field experiments.

Monitoring and verification of soil carbon

KeySoil - KeySoil draws upon on decades of soils research and combines this with exciting recent developments in our understanding of how organic matter is broken down when added to soil as well as the social and economic dimensions of soil management. The organisation'sresearch has shown significant potential for both improved agricultural performance and environmental protection through the better management of soil and the organic matter resources that are crucial to its performance.

Soil, carbon cycling research and terra preta

Cornell University: Soil Biogeochemistry - Biochar and Terra Preta de Indio.

University of Georgia: Biorefining and Carbon Cycling Program - Terra Preta.

University of Bayreuth: Institute of Soil Science and Soil Geography - Terra Preta.

International Soil Reference and Information Centre.

Information about tropical soils

The Soil Maps of Africa (EUROPEAN DIGITAL ARCHIVE OF SOIL MAPS (EuDASM)

For some 40 years, ISRIC – World Soil Information has been providing significant support to the international science community by collecting and archiving regional-, national- and global-scale maps of soils and land resources.
Despite effective procedures for storage and maintenance, most organizations involved in archiving struggle to arrest the deterioration of paper maps and the quality of information they contain. Deterioration occurs for various reasons that include handling, transport, exposure to light, moisture and atmospheric pollution.

Realizing the need to conserve the information on existing maps, which underpin the fast-developing thematic mapping strategies to support soil protection, the Institute of Environment and Sustainability (IES) in the European Commission (Italy) and ISRIC – World Soil Information initiated the European Digital Archive of Soil Maps (EuDASM). The immediate objective is to transfer soil information into digital format, with the maximum resolution possible, to preserve the information of paper maps that are vulnerable to deterioration.

Experts, consultants

Steiner, Christoph: Biochar.org.

Latest science news

The July issue of Geotimes , a publication of the American Geological Institute, will focus on the biochar revolution. A short, introductory video can be watched here .

Joint UNESCO-IUGS International Geoscience Programme publishes brochure titled "Soil - Earth’s living skin" , in which it outlines the enormous importance of and threats to this key natural resource. The text is part of the International Year of the Earth. See Professor Roel Merckx's Year of the Earth lecture on "Living off the land in Africa: myths and realities" in which he sketches the crude fact that development in Africa will only happen when the continent's nutrient-poor soils are replenished and made fertile.

(June 3, 2008) Best Energies' Adrianna Downie discusses her company's integrated pyrolysis-gasification technology and biochar trials. Find more under the 'Biochar Research' section .

(May 27, 2008) NASA's Dr James Hansen includes biochar as one of the key carbon-negative energy technologies needed to achieve a reduction of atmospheric CO2 levels to 350ppm. Read the paper in the 'Biochar Research' section .

(May 23, 2008) U.S. Farm Bill Includes Biochar Research. Read the press release .

(April 10, 2008) At the 235th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, scientists report that biochar has an unprecedented ability to improve the fertility of soil — one that surpasses compost, animal manure, and other well-known soil conditioners. Biochar shows promise as a carbon-negative strategy to rein in world hunger as well as greenhouse gases, they found. Read more .

(March 31, 2008) A new report on the environmental implications of biochar as a soil amendment, written by postgraduate researcher at Swansea University, Dominic Woolf, is now online. Read the paper here or find the reference under Biochar Research .

(March 26, 2008) Dr Lucas Van Zwieten, senior research scientist of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), discusses biochar trials. In a latest trial he found a doubling of biomass and grain yields for sweet corn and 'very significant' differences in corn production. Likewise, some biochars have shown "very, very significant reductions in nitrous oxide emissions from the soil; between five- and ten-fold reductions in nitrous oxide emissions." Listen to the podcast or read more .

The July issue of Geotimes , a publication of the American Geological Institute, will focus on the biochar revolution. A short, introductory video can be watched here .

(June 3, 2008) Best Energies' Adrianna Downie discusses her company's integrated pyrolysis-gasification technology and biochar trials. Find more under the 'Biochar Research' section .

(May 27, 2008) NASA's Dr James Hansen includes biochar as one of the key carbon-negative energy technologies needed to achieve a reduction of atmospheric CO2 levels to 350ppm. Read the paper in the 'Biochar Research' section .

(May 23, 2008) U.S. Farm Bill Includes Biochar Research. Read the press release .

(March 31, 2008) A new report on the environmental implications of biochar as a soil amendment, written by postgraduate researcher at Swansea University, Dominic Woolf, is now online. Read the paper here or find the reference under Biochar Research .

More news in the Science News Archive .