Continuous model of soil organic matter quality: new perspectives for studying the carbon cycle in agricultural lands

This review article discusses the problem of developing and using methods for modeling soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. Traditional methods based on “theoretical” discrete pools with different SOM turnover rates are critically analyzed, emphasizing their insufficient correspondence with actual observation data. An alternative approach considers the continuous distribution of SOM quality and allows us to understand and describe the mechanisms of transformation and stabilization of organic matter in soils under a wide range of soil formation factors and processes. Models of SOM dynamics based on this approach have greater predictive power for the development of agricultural practices aimed at increasing carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. This opens up new opportunities for preserving and improving soil fertility, as well as helping to respond effectively to global climate challenges in agricultural lands.