From Research to Practice

At Siena, we believe that meaningful environmental solutions must be grounded in both robust scientific evidence and practical, real-world experience.

Over the years, biochar has gained increasing attention from the scientific community, resulting in a substantial rise in research publications and technical studies examining its applications across diverse environmental and agricultural systems. This growing body of evidence has significantly deepened our understanding of sustainable land management, soil health, carbon farming, water-efficient practices, and broader environmental stewardship.

As scientific knowledge has advanced, interest in biochar has moved beyond academia into practical implementation. Landowners, local councils, industry groups, and other stakeholders are now exploring evidence-informed, sustainable solutions that incorporate biochar.

These publications and research developments have profoundly shaped the way we think, the questions we ask, the projects we design, and the services we deliver. We do not adopt new approaches simply because they are popular or emerging. Instead, we critically evaluate the available evidence, consider local context, and test how different methods perform under real-world Australian conditions. Together, we are working to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical on-ground application.

The publications and resources listed below represent key research and knowledge that have informed our thinking and continue to guide our ongoing work.

Carbon Stability & Climate Benefits

• Adhikari, S. et al. (2024). Comparative analysis of biochar carbon stability methods and implications for carbon credits. Science of the Total Environment. DOI

• Chagas, J.K.M. et al. (2022). Biochar increases soil carbon pools: Evidence from a global meta-analysis. Journal of Environmental Management. DOI

• Woolf, D. et al. (2010). Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nature Communications. DOI

Soil Health, Water Retention & Fertility

• Edeh, I.G. et al. (2020). A meta-analysis on biochar’s effects on soil water properties. Science of the Total Environment. DOI

• Kang, M.W. et al. (2022). Enhancement of soil physical properties and soil water retention with biochar-based soil amendments. Science of the Total Environment. DOI

• Blackwell, P. et al. (2015). Influences of Biochar and Biochar-Mineral Complex on Mycorrhizal Colonisation and Nutrition of Wheat and Sorghum. Pedosphere. DOI

Nutrient Management & Slow-Release Fertilisers

• Rasse, D.P. et al. (2022). Enhancing plant N uptake with biochar-based fertilizers. Plant and Soil. DOI

• Glaser, B. & Lehr, V-I. (2019). Biochar effects on phosphorus availability in agricultural soils: A meta-analysis. Scientific Reports. DOI

• Chew, J. et al. (2022). Biochar-based fertiliser enhances nutrient uptake and transport in rice seedlings. Science of the Total Environment. DOI

Vineyard & Waste Recovery

• Cárdenas-Aguiar, E. et al. (2023). New insights into the production, characterization and potential uses of vineyard pruning waste biochars. Waste Management. DOI

• Egri, D. et al. (2022). Vine pruning-derived biochar for agronomic benefits. Agronomy. DOI

• García-Jaramillo, M. et al. (2021). Biochar addition to vineyard soils: effects on soil functions, grape yield and wine quality. Biochar. DOI

Environmental Remediation (including PFAS & Heavy Metals)

• Liang, D. et al. (2024). A critical review of biochar for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated soil and water. Science of the Total Environment, 951, 174962. DOI

• Ghorbani, M. & Amirahmadi, E. (2025). Optimizing biochar for heavy metal remediation: A meta-analysis of modification methods and pyrolysis conditions. Environments, 12(11), 399. DOI

• Hu, B. et al. (2020). Efficient elimination of organic and inorganic pollutants by biochar and biochar-based materials. Biochar, 2(1), 47-64. DOI

• Murtaza, G. et al. (2024). Physicochemical properties and performance of non-woody derived biochars for the sustainable removal of aquatic pollutants. Chemosphere, 359, 142368. DOI

• Wang, C. et al. (2021). A review on persulfates activation by functional biochar for organic contaminants removal. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 9(5), 106267. DOI

• Dai, Y. et al. (2020). Utilization of biochar for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Journal of Cleaner Production, 257, 120573. DOI

• Sadeghi, S.H. et al. (2016). Controllability of runoff and soil loss from small plots treated by vinasse-produced biochar. Science of the Total Environment, 541, 483-490. DOI

Practical Applications & Australian-Relevant Research

• Omidvar, N. et al. (2025). Combination of Biochar-Based Fertilisers and Reactive Barriers Improved Soil Carbon Storage, Soil Moisture Retention, and Crop Yield. Global Change Biology Bioenergy. DOI

• Solaiman, Z.M. et al. (2025). Co-application of biochar and phosphorus increases soil microbial biomass, mycorrhizal colonization, growth, and nutrition of subterranean clover. AIMS Microbiology. DOI

Research is rarely the final answer—it is often the starting point for asking better questions and developing better solutions.

At Siena, we are interested in translating scientific knowledge into practical outcomes and contributing to the conversation around sustainable environmental practices.

If any of these publications align with your interests, or if you would like to learn more about how they relate to our work, we would be pleased to discuss them further and share insights gained through our experience and learning over the years.

We welcome conversations with landholders, researchers, industry partners, and anyone interested in environmental innovation.

Thank you for following our journey.

— Siena Carbon Group