Pedosphere 36(1): 12--24, 2026
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2026 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Pedometric approaches to assess soil organic carbon dynamics in forest ecosystems: A review |
Vuyo QASHA1, Alen MANYEVERE1 , Trevan FLYNN1,2, Chuene V. MASHAMAITE1 |
1 Department of Agronomy, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700 (South Africa);
2 Department of Research, add1Technologies, 11531 Slick Rock Dr., Richmond TX 77406 (USA) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion caused by changes in land use is one of the main causes of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. As such, pedometric approaches are essential for understanding SOC dynamics in forest restoration, which is crucial for mitigating climate change and sustaining ecosystem services. This review summarizes methodologies and advancements in pedometric approaches, focusing on their application in predicting SOC changes across various environments. It highlights the integration of pedometric methods involving spatiotemporal and vertical modeling tools, such as spatially explicit models and geospatial models, to improve soil carbon (C) stock estimates. These methods utilize advanced statistical techniques and remote sensing technologies to model soil properties and predict soil C dynamics across different spatiotemporal scales. The Century model, noted for its effectiveness in simulating long-term SOC drivers under various restoration scenarios, provides critical insights into sustainable forest management. This review evaluates potential solutions for understanding how C evolves over time and under different forest management practices, including afforestation and selective logging. In addition, the review identifies knowledge gaps, such as the need for improved models to predict soil C stocks under diverse environmental conditions accurately. Addressing these gaps through enhanced pedometric models and evaluation efforts is crucial for informing effective soil management strategies and supporting global climate change mitigation initiatives through forest restoration. Integrating pedometric approaches with spatial modeling tools provides a robust framework for guiding forest restoration decision-making and enhancing ecosystem resilience against climate change. |
| Key Words: climate change mitigation|equal-area splines|forest restoration|machine learning|spatial prediction|the Century model |
| Citation: Qasha V, Manyevere A, Flynn T, Mashamaite C V. 2026. Pedometric approaches to assess soil organic carbon dynamics in forest ecosystems: A review. Pedosphere. 36(1): 12-24. |
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