ARS | Publication request: Life cycle greenhouse gas impacts of grassland management practice

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 26, 2009
Publication Date: November 1, 2009
Citation: Adler, P.R., Spatari, S., Del Grosso, S.J. 2009. Life cycle greenhouse gas impacts of grassland management practice[abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Paper No. 52548.

Technical Abstract: Biomass from conservation and dedicated grasslands could be an important feedstock for biofuels. Estimating the carbon (C) intensity of biofuel production pathways is important in order to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) targets set by government policy. Management decisions made during feedstock production, from site selection including prior land use history, establishment practices and plant species composition, to yield potential and harvest season all affect life cycle GHG emissions from grasslands. N2O emissions are the largest source and soil C the greatest sink of GHGs during feedstock production. N2O and soil C vary with soil texture, precipitation, and land use history across complex landscapes that typify important biofuel production regions in the U.S. Comparisons of these relationships among contrasting landscapes can help develop maps describing the C intensity of biofuel production across the entire US.