sustainability Article Anthropogenic and Inherent Effects on Soil Organic Carbon across the U.S Márcio R. Nunes 1,*, Harold M. van Es 2, Kristen S. Veum 3 , Joseph P. Amsili 2 and Douglas L. Karlen 4 1 USDA-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, University Boulevard, Ames, IA 50011–3611, USA 2 Section of Soil and Crop Sciences, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;
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[email protected] (J.P.A.) 3 USDA-ARS, Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit, 269 Agricultural Engineering Bldg., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
[email protected] 4 USDA-ARS, DL Karlen Consulting LLC, 487 Ashland Ave., St. Pual, MN 55102, USA;
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[email protected] Received: 29 May 2020; Accepted: 13 July 2020; Published: 15 July 2020 Abstract: Soil organic carbon (SOC) influences several soil functions, making it one of the most important soil health indicators. Its quantity is determined by anthropogenic and inherent factors that must be understood to improve SOC management and interpretation. Topsoil ( 15 cm) SOC response ≤ to tillage depth and intensity, cover crops, stover removal, manure addition, and various cropping systems was assessed using 7610 observations from eight U.S. regions. Overall, including cover crops, reducing tillage depth and intensity increased SOC. The positive effects of cover crops were more noticeable in South Central, Northwest, and Midwest regions. Removing high rates (>65%) of crop residue decreased SOC in Midwestern and Southeastern soils.