No abstract

Under the intensifying effects of climate change, agricultural practices that increase soil organic C (SOC) provide an opportunity to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Grazed pasture has the potential to increase SOC, but knowledge gaps remain about the effects of grazing frequency and intensity on SOC pools. We explored SOC quantity and quality in paired pastures and row crops and across grazing management gradients in southern and central Wisconsin. On average, pastures had 12.41 Mg ha−1 more SOC in surface soils (0–15 cm) than their row crop counterparts, but were not different in subsurface soils (15–30 cm). Soil organic C was inversely correlated with grazing frequency (i.e., rest period) but no correlation with grazing intensity (i.e., residual height) was observed. Less stable particulate organic matter‐C (POM‐C) was correlated with grazing frequency and intensity in the same way as SOC, whereas more stable mineral‐associated organic matter‐C was not correlated with either grazing management parameter. Sol organic C and POM‐C increased linearly with pasture age (∼32 g C m−2 yr−1). Well‐managed grazing on cool‐season perennial pastures with undisturbed soils offers the best agricultural opportunity for helping to mitigate climate change via SOC sequestration.

The complete lack of a sustainable housing market in the cold and rainy context of Valdivia, Southern Chile (39°49' S, 73°14' W), draws the need to find an affordable solution for the construction of energy-efficient living spaces. A team of architects undertook the challenge, whilst acknowledging other environmental issues such as the use of recycled materials. Based on research, the greenhouse principle was the focus of the design, as it dealt with prevailing weather conditions in a more proper fashion, by maximising daylight and solar gains during the long, cold winter, and also by allowing small-scale farming all year round, amongst other features. The greenhouse was thought to perform more as an in-between space -in terms of temperature and lightning-to all common zones in a house (e.g., a doorway or a living room), rather than applying to each inhabited space, individually. The architects researched on the above qualities to see whether they applied to the new prototype or not. Both potential overheating -in the short warm season-and glare risks were taken into account, by conducting specific environmental assessments (e.g., natural lighting levels) on both physical and virtual models.