Enhancing Ireland’s Soils for Ecosystem Health and Carbon Drawdown

Project name: Enhancing Ireland’s Soils for Ecosystem Health and Carbon Drawdown 

PI name: Professor Quentin Crowley 

Research team: Dr Abdul Aziz Mohibbi  

Funders: SAFE - Supporting at-risk researchers with fellowships in Europe, funded by the European Union, under grant agreement SAFE-FA-2026-853-T2P. 

Project dates: April 2026 – August 2027 

Summary: This study aims to explore innovative strategies for enhancing soil health, improving ecosystem resilience, and maximizing carbon drawdown in soils. By linking soil management to broader ecological and climate goals, the project's key objectives are: 

• Assess the condition of Ireland’s soils in different land-use areas, with a focus on soil organic matter and nutrients, to understand overall soil health.  

• Measure how much carbon soils can store under different land management practices and identify methods that increase carbon capture. 

• Study how improving soil health supports ecosystem services, especially biodiversity. 

• Provide practical recommendations for policymakers and land managers to improve soil management for healthier ecosystems and greater carbon storage. 

• Showcase Ireland as an exemplar in sustainable soil management, providing insights and methodologies that can be applied in other EU countries. This objective positions Ireland at the forefront of soil health and climate change mitigation efforts. 

By addressing these objectives, the project aims to contribute significantly to Ireland's efforts in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. The findings will not only inform national policies but also provide valuable insights for broader European and global initiatives in soil health and carbon sequestration. 

Image caption: A UAV survey of peaty soils in Doolough Valley, Co Mayo. 

Image credit: Karin Jancykova.