Carbon Sequestration in Turfgrass–Soil Systems

Abstract

Plants are key components of the terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycle. Atmospheric CO2 is assimilated through photosynthesis and stored in plant biomass and in the soil. The use of turfgrass is expanding due to the increasing human population and urbanization. In this review, we summarize recent carbon sequestration research in turfgrass and compare turfgrass systems to other plant systems. The soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in turfgrass systems is comparable to that in other natural and agricultural systems. Turfgrass systems are generally carbon-neutral or carbon sinks, with the exception of intensively managed areas, such as golf course greens and athletic fields. Turfgrass used in other areas, such as golf course fairways and roughs, parks, and home lawns, has the potential to contribute to carbon sequestration if proper management practices are implemented. High management inputs can increase the biomass productivity of turfgrass but do not guarantee higher SOC compared to low management inputs. Additionally, choosing the appropriate turfgrass species that are well adapted to the local climate and tolerant to stresses can maximize CO2 assimilation and biomass productivity, although other factors, such as soil respiration, can considerably affect SOC. Future research is needed to document the complete carbon footprint, as well as to identify best management practices and appropriate turfgrass species to enhance carbon sequestration in turfgrass systems.

Grasscycling: A Key Practice for Sustainable Turfgrass Management

“…Turfgrass clipping decomposition has been reported to be fast, with 30% of turfgrass clipping's N mineralised within 7 days [33], independently of soil rootzone and microbial properties. Furthermore, 20% of C in the turfgrass clippings decomposed in the soil within seven days [34]. Returning grass clippings also has been found to increase soil C sequestered in turfgrass ecosystems, with an increase in total soil C concentration when clippings werereturned [8,10,33].…”

“…The return of clippings is a strategy for reducing fertiliser usage and costs [15,26] and for reducing C emissions due to costs of manufacturing, transporting, and commercialising synthetic fertiliser [59]. Wang et al [34] have shown that a substantial amount of C fixation in turfgrass was allocated in producing above-ground biomass, therefore, clipping management can be a critical driver of C balance in turfgrass ecosystems. In addition, the practice of returning clippings reduces net greenhouse gasses by 12% [60].…”

Amenity Grasses—A Short Insight into Species, Their Applications and Functions

“…The annual increase of carbon in grassland on sandy loam soil was estimated at 0.52 t C•ha −1 [99]. A wide range of carbon accumulation rates was reported for lawns [100][101][102]. It depends on many factors as the age of the lawn, lawn use, fertilization, and irrigation rates, and may range from 0.22 to 3.55 t Cof water, soil covered with grassha −1 •y −1 .…”

“…It depends on many factors as the age of the lawn, lawn use, fertilization, and irrigation rates, and may range from 0.22 to 3.55 t Cof water, soil covered with grassha −1 •y −1 . Lawns are generally referred to as carbon sinks, except for intensively managed golf course greens and athletic fields [100,101].…”

“…Currently, alternative, more energy-efficient mowers (battery or electricity-powered) have become more popular and may reduce fuel emissions [101].…”