Grasslands cover about 40% of the Earth’s ice-free land surface, and their soils play a key role in climate regulation by storing about 20% of global carbon (C) stocks. These ecosystems are also characterised by their potential to sequester C as well as by emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2, N2O, and CH4. In recent decades, intensified grassland management has led to grassland deterioration, soil C loss, and increased GHG emissions. Reversing this trend presents significant opportunities for climate change mitigation, with the potential to sequester up to 150 Tg of soil C per year (CO2 eq) through effective management practices, such as improved grazing management or the introduction of silvopastoral systems (SPS). Additionally, promoting legumes or organic fertilisers can reduce reliance on synthetic N fertilisers, thereby mitigating the negative impacts of fertilisation. Realising this C sequestration and GHG mitigation potential requires collaborative efforts and a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms driving these processes across diverse environmental conditions and grassland systems.
Despite the testing of various restoration strategies and improved management practices, there remains a significant gap in evidence regarding the mechanisms driving C sequestration potential and GHG mitigation globally.
This session will focus on studies that evaluate the impacts of different grassland restoration and management practices on soil nutrient C and N cycling, with an emphasis on soil C sequestration and GHG emission and mitigation. We encourage contributions from all regions, as diverse perspectives and experiences are crucial for a holistic understanding of these issues. Field and modelling studies are welcome, as well as mesocosm studies exploring hypotheses related to C and N cycling in grassland soils.
We invite participants from around the world to share their insights and contribute to a global dialogue on advancing grassland management practices.