Biochar Database: An Open-Access Resource to the Black Continuum.

Biochar research, although still in its infancy, has generated much interest as a soil amendment due to its potential for increased soil fertility, water holding capacity, greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration. The relatively low entry barrier to biochar manufacturing has resulted in many suppliers producing boutique biochars which make use of a variety of feedstock materials. Although there is a great deal of interest in biochar from researchers, growers, and other stakeholder groups, the field suffers from 1) lack of readily available information for end users to make informed decisions and 2) differing opinions on the gross effects of biochar when used as a soil amendment. To help mitigate these shortfalls, the UC Davis Biochar Database has been established to present an online resource of biochar physical and chemical characterization data. This database does not provide recommendations for biochar use nor does it endorse any specific product. The database exists only as resource, with the specific objectives to 1) provide an open-access tool for end users interested in biochar as a  soil amendment to examine and compare data for a variety of biochar feedstocks;  2) provide a reliable resource for academics and researchers by distinguishing between peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed data; 3) provide a user friendly site for sharing biochar characterization data; 4) provide a mechanism for biochar manufacturers to present the characterization data of their biochar products to potential end users.