Introduction
Grasslands have large soil carbon (C) sequestration potential due to permanent vegetation cover and prolific belowground biomass inputs, making their implementation a negative emission technology (IPCC, 2018). However, the extent of carbon sequestration in grassland soils will be dependent on a variety of management approaches and environmental conditions that affect the balance between productivity (i.e. C fixation) and decomposition (i.e. soil respiration). Grasslands are typically used for grazing livestock or to grow hay to feed livestock elsewhere. Both practices may ultimately affect soil microbial activity and influence soil organic carbon (SOC) storage (Gilmullina et al., 2020), SOC release and emissions of CO2 and other potent greenhouse gases. While both systems are intended for feeding ruminants, the choice of management will have an impact on a variety of ecosystem services, including SOC sequestration, water quality and above- and belowground biodiversity. Grassland management may be intensive or extensive involving contrasting animal types, stocking rates, mineral fertilizer input and/or irrigation (Box 1). It is generally region-specific with typically extensive management with naturalized botanical composition in semi-arid and arid regions and more intensive management in sub-humid and humid regions. Intensive management in the latter regions occurs with inputs of fertilizer, reseeding with annual and/or preferred perennial species and variations in stocking method and season of grazing.
Link to full resource: https://bdspublishing.com/_webedit/uploaded-files/All Files/Open Access/9781801466981.pdf
Grasslands have large soil carbon (C) sequestration potential due to permanent vegetation cover and prolific belowground biomass inputs, making their implementation a negative emission technology (IPCC, 2018). However, the extent of carbon sequestration in grassland soils will be dependent on a variety of management approaches and environmental conditions that affect the balance between productivity (i.e. C fixation) and decomposition (i.e. soil respiration). Grasslands are typically used for grazing livestock or to grow hay to feed livestock elsewhere. Both practices may ultimately affect soil microbial activity and influence soil organic carbon (SOC) storage (Gilmullina et al., 2020), SOC release and emissions of CO2 and other potent greenhouse gases. While both systems are intended for feeding ruminants, the choice of management will have an impact on a variety of ecosystem services, including SOC sequestration, water quality and above- and belowground biodiversity. Grassland management may be intensive or extensive involving contrasting animal types, stocking rates, mineral fertilizer input and/or irrigation (Box 1). It is generally region-specific with typically extensive management with naturalized botanical composition in semi-arid and arid regions and more intensive management in sub-humid and humid regions. Intensive management in the latter regions occurs with inputs of fertilizer, reseeding with annual and/or preferred perennial species and variations in stocking method and season of grazing.
Link to full resource: https://bdspublishing.com/_webedit/uploaded-files/All Files/Open Access/9781801466981.pdf
