Greenhouse gas fluxes from established and emergent grasslands and the implications for nature-based solutions in England.

 

Greenhouse gas flux studies are fundamental to understanding the net emission and removal of greenhouse gases by terrestrial ecosystems. Evidence from UK grasslands is sparse and tends to be from intensive agricultural plots.  

Emerging results from a novel, 24-month study are presented. Carbon dioxide measurements were collected from grasslands across the UK, using the static chamber method. More than 20 parcels were surveyed, with habitats from a range of soil types, sward diversity and management processes, enabling a broader analysis of the variety of grasslands in England.  

Carbon dioxide emissions were detected all year round, thus allowing further analysis of seasonal dynamics. The influence of wider environmental variables, such as moisture and temperature are also explored, with fluxes detected at lower soil moistures than similar studies. These studies will help us to understand the carbon sequestering potential of grassland creation for nature-based solutions as part of the Nature Returns programme.