Consultancy for the quantification of soil carbon stocks in areas of natural vegetation cultivated under no-till systems and tillage-based systems and the expansion potential of no-till systems

Description

Consultancy for the quantification of soil carbon stocks in areas of natural vegetation cultivated under no-till systems and under tillage-based systems and the expansion potential of no-till systems in Paraguay and Uruguay

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is calling on consulting firms to conduct a specialized study focused on the quantification of soil organic carbon (SOC) and the evaluation of the expansion potential of No-Till Systems (DSS) in Paraguay and Uruguay. The project seeks to generate scientific evidence on the restoration capacity of soils in the face of traditional tillage systems and natural vegetation.

1. Regional diagnosis and artificial intelligence modeling
- Adoption assessment: Technical diagnosis of the current state of SSDs in both countries, evaluating recommended practices such as permanent coverage, diversification of rotations and impacts on the SOC.

- Geospatial prediction: Quantification of the potential for increasing the surface area of SSDs through the analysis of historical series of satellite images (NDVI indexes, EVI) and the training of machine learning models (Random Forest algorithms).

- Institutional strengthening: Methodological training for technicians from research institutes and producer associations involved in the remote sensing tools used.

2. Field Sampling and Carbon Database
- Territorial stratification: Analysis focused on two agroclimatic zones per country, evaluating three specific land uses: Natural Vegetation (NV), Low-Till Systems (SBL) and SSD (with a minimum of 15 years of sustained adoption).

- Pit protocol: Excavation of georeferenced sampling stations (1m x 1m x 1m) to extract soil samples up to one meter deep, distributed in six independent strata.

- Laboratory processing: Systematic collection of 432 samples for chemical analysis and 432 samples to determine bulk density (ring method), coordinated by the local entities AUSID (Uruguay) and FEPASIDIAS (Paraguay).

3. Analytical modelling, balance sheets and dissemination
- COS dynamics: Analytical quantification of carbon losses in SBL, net additionality generated by SSDs, and ability to restore soil organic balance.

- Rate of change: Estimation of the annual rate of change of carbon by long-term linear regression and determination of critical indicators (particulate organic carbon and C/N ratio).

- Transfer strategy: Preparation of technical notes, press releases, conference papers, promotion of academic theses and the delivery of a final policy brief aimed at public decision-making.

Note: Interested companies should review the requirements on the BEO Bidder Portal.