One of the contentious issues in incorporating the value of soil carbon into the global climate change market is its perceived lack of permanence, and the great variations within different soil types.

A major consideration when establishing the credibility of any land based carbon sequestration program is permanence i.e. how long will carbon be kept out of the atmosphere, locked in a permanent state. Where soil carbon in agricultural soils may increase over a three year period, one years ploughing can release up to 75% of this carbon back to the atmosphere. Thus establishing a credible and tradable value, especially when taking into account governance concerns in many third world countries, is not an exact science.

Satellite technology is a very dynamic science with advances occurring almost daily. Its major restricting factor to date had been inadequate physical data checks that verify the theoretical calculations. Thus during these developmental stages of satellite and remote sensing products, the use of accurate “ground measurement” details will provide necessary physical data to the verify the theoretical science based calculations.

Through the use of remote sensing it will be possible within a few years to provide quick, accurate and landscape level assessments of carbon stocks and general ecosystem functions. Whilst not removing the concerns on permanence totally remote sensing and science based technology will allow rapid M&E and provide credibility and accountability.