Researchers will conduct tests in the Six Rivers National Forest, treating each test site with a unique biochar mix that’s seeded with a native, pollinator-friendly plant mix to compare growth between test sites.
They’ll measure changes in vegetation productivity, diversity, native species composition, soil carbon, nutrients, metals, bulk density, seasonal water availability, and microbial community composition over a five-year period.
We are going to need a lot more of this kind of work. I read on permaculture sites about the need to pre-load biochar with nutrients - planting seeded biochar without nutrients could be unproductive. Biochar loading also depends on soil type, how the biochar is made, and how it is applied (tilled in or top-dressed). Size probably matters - big chunks will eventually break apart, but moderate size reduction gives better distribution. Fine dust will not provide the same degree of soil aeration. So, the devil is in the details.