Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United States

Abstract Background Grazing lands provide numerous ecosystem services, including the capacity to store large amounts of soil carbon (C); however, our understanding of the factors affecting soil C responses to management is inadequate. Methods In this paper, we synthesized information about the impac...

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Main Authors: Maria L. Silveira, Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz, Joao Mauricio Bueno Vendramini, Elizabeth Boughton, Rosvel Bracho, Abmael daSilva Cardoso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-03-01
Series:Grassland Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12074
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author Maria L. Silveira
Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz
Joao Mauricio Bueno Vendramini
Elizabeth Boughton
Rosvel Bracho
Abmael daSilva Cardoso
author_facet Maria L. Silveira
Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz
Joao Mauricio Bueno Vendramini
Elizabeth Boughton
Rosvel Bracho
Abmael daSilva Cardoso
author_sort Maria L. Silveira
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Grazing lands provide numerous ecosystem services, including the capacity to store large amounts of soil carbon (C); however, our understanding of the factors affecting soil C responses to management is inadequate. Methods In this paper, we synthesized information about the impacts of grazing land management on soil C within the southeastern region of the United States. Results Most studies (68%) demonstrated that proper management increased soil C stocks with an average C accumulation rate of 1.4 Mg C ha−1 year−1. The remaining (32%) studies showed no effect of management on soil C. None of the studies reported negative impacts of management on soil C. The largest increase in soil C (8 Mg C ha−1 year−1) was associated with the conversion of cropland to pastureland while overseeding legumes into grass pastures resulted in the lowest C sequestration rates (0.2 Mg C ha−1 year−1). Conclusions Considering the rates of soil C accretion and the extensive area occupied by grazing lands, data in this synthesis confirm that the adoption of improved management practices can increase soil C sequestration in the southeastern United States. In addition, because most improved management practices can also have co‐benefits, they may be favorable for forage and livestock production and other ecosystem services.
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spelling doaj.art-d334604088024673b72d8749680511eb2024-04-22T11:04:50ZengWileyGrassland Research2097-051X2770-17432024-03-0131697810.1002/glr2.12074Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United StatesMaria L. Silveira0Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz1Joao Mauricio Bueno Vendramini2Elizabeth Boughton3Rosvel Bracho4Abmael daSilva Cardoso5Range Cattle Research and Education Center University of Florida Ona Florida USARange Cattle Research and Education Center University of Florida Ona Florida USARange Cattle Research and Education Center University of Florida Ona Florida USAArchbold Biological Station Lake Placid Florida USASchool of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences University of Florida Gainesville Florida USARange Cattle Research and Education Center University of Florida Ona Florida USAAbstract Background Grazing lands provide numerous ecosystem services, including the capacity to store large amounts of soil carbon (C); however, our understanding of the factors affecting soil C responses to management is inadequate. Methods In this paper, we synthesized information about the impacts of grazing land management on soil C within the southeastern region of the United States. Results Most studies (68%) demonstrated that proper management increased soil C stocks with an average C accumulation rate of 1.4 Mg C ha−1 year−1. The remaining (32%) studies showed no effect of management on soil C. None of the studies reported negative impacts of management on soil C. The largest increase in soil C (8 Mg C ha−1 year−1) was associated with the conversion of cropland to pastureland while overseeding legumes into grass pastures resulted in the lowest C sequestration rates (0.2 Mg C ha−1 year−1). Conclusions Considering the rates of soil C accretion and the extensive area occupied by grazing lands, data in this synthesis confirm that the adoption of improved management practices can increase soil C sequestration in the southeastern United States. In addition, because most improved management practices can also have co‐benefits, they may be favorable for forage and livestock production and other ecosystem services.https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12074grazingmanagementpasturesoil carbon
spellingShingle Maria L. Silveira
Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz
Joao Mauricio Bueno Vendramini
Elizabeth Boughton
Rosvel Bracho
Abmael daSilva Cardoso
Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United States
Grassland Research
grazing
management
pasture
soil carbon
title Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United States
title_full Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United States
title_fullStr Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United States
title_full_unstemmed Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United States
title_short Opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern United States
title_sort opportunities to increase soil carbon sequestration in grazing lands in the southeastern united states
topic grazing
management
pasture
soil carbon
url https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12074
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