Towards Prescriptive Deployment: A Site-Specific Optimization Framework for Biochar-Based Climate Mitigation

Authors

  • Arie Dipareza Syafei

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
  • Joni Hermana

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
  • Melani Febriwati

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
  • Tia Dwi Irawandani

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
  • Ade Ayu Oktaviana

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
  • Abdu Fadli Assomadi

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
  • Arry Febrianto

    Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i3.13078
Received: 27 January 2026 | Revised: 10 March 2026 | Accepted: 16 March 2026 | Published Online: 9 June 2026

Abstract

Biochar is widely considered a promising negative-emission technology for soil carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. However, its effectiveness in field conditions remains inconsistent because biochar performance depends strongly on soil characteristics, climatic conditions, and production parameters. This study aims to improve the predictability of climate mitigation outcomes from biochar application by synthesizing field-based evidence and developing a site-specific optimization framework. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this systematic review synthesizes 57 field-scale studies published between 2010 and 2024. Carbon persistence was evaluated using a first-order decay model, while greenhouse gas dynamics (CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) were integrated using the Net Global Warming Potential (NGWP) metric to assess overall climate mitigation effects. The synthesis indicates that biochar application increases soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks by an average of 15.8 ± 12.4%, with a carbon storage efficiency of 68.3 ± 23.7%. A critical pyrolysis optimization window between 450–550 ℃ was identified, which enhances aromatic carbon stability and results in a mean residence time of approximately 47.2 years. Nevertheless, important trade-offs were observed in paddy systems: while CH₄ emissions decrease by 31.2%, high-ash biochars applied to alkaline soils may increase N₂O emissions by up to 21.1%. To address these trade-offs, this study operationalizes the Theory–Context–Criteria–Method (TCCM) approach into an eight-step decision framework for site-specific biochar deployment. By incorporating climate-risk screening and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) considerations, the framework provides practical guidance to enhance the reliability of biochar-based climate mitigation strategies.

Keywords:

Carbon Sequestration; Measurement, Reporting, and Verification; Net Global Warming Potential; Soil Organic Carbon

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How to Cite

Syafei, A. D., Hermana, J., Febriwati, M., Irawandani, T. D., Oktaviana, A. A., Assomadi, A. F., & Febrianto, A. (2026). Towards Prescriptive Deployment: A Site-Specific Optimization Framework for Biochar-Based Climate Mitigation. Research in Ecology, 8(3), 249–265. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i3.13078

Issue

Vol.8, Iss.3 (June 2026)(In Progress)

Article Type

Review

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Copyright © 2026 Arie Dipareza Syafei, Joni Hermana, Melani Febriwati, Tia Dwi Irawandani, Ade Ayu Oktaviana, Abdu Fadli Assomadi, Arry Febrianto

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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