Location: Livestock and Range Research Laboratory
Title: Livestock increase soil organic carbon in the Northern Great PlainsAuthor
Reinhart, Kurt | |
WOROGO, HILAIRE - UNIVERSITY OF PARAKOU | |
Rinella, Matthew - Matt | |
Vermeire, Lance |
Submitted to: Rangeland Ecology and Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2021 Publication Date: 8/14/2021 Citation: Reinhart, K.O., Worogo, H., Rinella, M.J., Vermeire, L.T. 2021. Livestock increase soil organic carbon in the Northern Great Plains. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 79:22-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.07.006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.07.006 Interpretive Summary: Problem- Managing grasslands to sequester carbon is of global importance, but effects of grazing on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks remain uncertain. Accomplishment- We determined that areas rested from grazing had 12% smaller SOC stocks than areas that were annually grazed in the Northern Great Plains. Technical Abstract: Managing grasslands to sequester carbon is of global importance, but effects of grazing on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks remain uncertain. We quantified effects of livestock grazing (grazed or not for nine to 26 years) and soil texture on SOC stocks (kg × m-2) in a temperate grassland. We also quantified the effects of livestock grazing on the components of SOC stocks (i.e. SOC concentration, bulk density). Percent sand explained considerable variation in SOC stock (r2= 0.45 to 0.59). In addition, SOC stocks were 12% less in areas rested from livestock grazing than annually grazed. Soil carbon concentrations (%) were also 10% less in rested than grazed areas. Bulk density was 2% less in areas rested from grazing, but bulk density was greater at sites with longer periods of rest. We also detected a grazing treatment and rest duration interaction indicating that bulk density differences between grazing treatments tended to be greater at sites with longer periods of rest. Compared to no grazing, moderate grazing tended to increase SOC stocks and concentrations. Although compaction (i.e. increase in bulk density) is generally regarded as an indicator of declining soil health, some compaction may help reduce mineralization of SOC and ultimately increase SOC stocks. We discuss methodological improvements needed for a next generation of grazingland experiments to better resolve how best to manage livestock and sequester carbon. |