Biochar and Soil Heat and Water Flow

Biochar has been identified as a soil amendment and potential tool for mitigating climate change and sequestering carbon in soils. Over the last fifteen years, scientific literature devoted to the use biochar as a soil amendment has increased significantly. However, researchers have acknowledged shortcomings in data availability and the need for additional studies. Specifically, studies related to the impact of biochar on soil physical properties and processes are limited compared to those that have evaluated the effects of biochar on soil chemical and biological processes. Most studies that have evaluated the effects of biochar on soil physical properties often have examined biochar's effects on soil bulk density, porosity, and water retention. Limited attention has been given to the effect of biochar on soil heat and water flow. The lack of studies related to the effect of biochar on soil heat and water flow has prompted the writing of this minireview. This mini-review provides a critical review of studies that have examined the effect of biochar on soil temperature and soil moisture, coupled heat and water transfer, and thermal properties. Due to the importance of soil heat and water flow for a number of physical, biological, and chemical properties and processes that occur in the soil future, direction for studies to evaluate the effect of biochar on soil heat and water flow is provided.