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Research Project: MANAGING FORAGE AND GRAZING LANDS FOR MULTIPLE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Nitrogen fertilization increases pasture canopy photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration

Author

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 6, 2011
Publication Date: October 16, 2011
Citation: Skinner, R.H. 2011. Nitrogen fertilization increases pasture canopy photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration[abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Paper No. 64481.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: Proper management of agricultural lands has the potential to increase soil C sequestration and help reduce the rate that carbon dioxide concentration is increasing in the atmosphere. Grazing lands, in particular, are thought to have a high C sequestration potential. Eddy covariance systems have continuously monitored carbon dioxide flux from two low-input temperate pastures since January 2003. These pastures received only limited fertilizer inputs and as a consequence had relatively low productivity. Averaged over the first five years of C flux measurements (2003-2007) net ecosystem exchange (NEE) on one pasture was 69 g CO2 m**-2 yr**-1 (positive values indicate a net loss of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, whereas negative values indicate net ecosystem uptake). Beginning in 2008, we applied 200-250 kg N ha**-1 yr**-1 to one of the two pastures to determine if improved fertility could increase gross primary productivity (GPP) but also to determine if concurrent increases in ecosystem respiration (Re) would offset the gains in GPP. Gross primary productivity averaged over three years (2008-2010) increased 20% under the higher fertility regime compared to the first five years, but Re also increased by 16%. The net result was to change NEE from a net source to a net sink of -118 g CO2 m**-2 yr**-1. It appears that increased N fertilization of previous low-input pastures can improve soil C sequestration despite the concurrent increase in Re.

   

 
Project Team
Skinner, Robert - Howard
Soder, Kathy
Goslee, Sarah
Adler, Paul
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Food Animal Production (101)
  Pasture, Forage and Rangeland Systems (215)
  Bioenergy (213)
 
Related Projects
   PASTURELAND CONSERVATION EFFECTS ASSESSMENT PROJECT LITERATURE SYNTHESEIS
   CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN NORTHEASTERN GRAZING LANDS
   U.S. NATIVE GRASS BREEDING CONSORTIUM TO IDENTIFY REGIONAL OPTIMUM BIOMASS PRODUCTIVITY ON MARGINAL LAND
   MECHANISTIC MODELING OF MULTISPECIES PASTURE GROWTH AND MANAGEMENT
   INTEGRATED PASTURE-CROP ROTATION
   GRAZINGLAND CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT
   GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND NITRATE LOSSES FROM ORGANIC SOILS IN DAIRY FARMING SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN GERMANY
   REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF BIOFUEL AND FORAGE SPECIES
   IMPACT OF CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON NUTRIENT TRANSPORT AND FATE IN PASTURE SYSTEMS
   REGIONAL CORN STOVER REMOVAL IMPACT STUDY - AMES (II)
   ASSISTING ORGANIC DAIRY PRODUCERS TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF NEW AND EMERGING MILK MARKETS
   GRAZING LANDS CEAP
   GREENHOUSE GAS LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF BIOCHAR EFFECTS ON MARGINAL LAND CONVERSION TO SWITCHGRASS PRODUCTION
 
 
Last Modified: 05/25/2013
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