Development of a Pacific Northwest Biochar Atlas: Translating the Results of Biochar Studies into Usable Information for Growers.

Loss of snow pack, changing hydrographs, and increased temperatures and irrigation demands threaten to worsen drought for growers in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Recent research has demonstrated that biochar produced from low-oxygen gasification of organic residues increases soil moisture, ameliorates pH, and may be a potential tool for mitigating drought. Our objective was to evaluate the potential for biochar to mitigate drought impacts on agriculture at a regional level by defining the current moisture benefits of biochar in agricultural soils. Our study examined the impact of biochar amendments on water dynamics in seven prominent soil types across the PNW. These results were used to develop a web-based Pacific Northwest Biochar Atlas, providing interactive maps that show potential biochar feedstocks, biochar producers and early adopters, results of biochar studies, and calculators that can be used to estimate biochar impacts on moisture retention.