Influence of liming and sward management on soil carbon storage by semi-improved upland grasslands

Forster, Daniel James; Fraser, Malcolm; Rowe, Rebecca; McNamara, Niall P.

doi:10.1016/j.still.2021.105059

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Liming of grasslands can enhance SOM mineralisation and emission of CO 2 (Holland et al, 2018) but can also increase SOM and create a net C sink due to high biomass and root production (Fornara et al, 2011). The combination between liming and other sward management, such as frequent cutting and heavy grazing, reduced SOC (Forster et al, 2021). Moreover, Barcelos et al (2021) found the effects of lime on C cycling through microbial biomass, especially in the subsoil, were minimal.…”

Section: Net Co 2 Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…water), high biomass productivity, high contribution to SOC (Humphreys et al, 2003;Kell, 2011) and induce lower enteric CH 4 emissions when fed to ruminants if supplemented with feed diets (Celis-Alvarez et al, 2021). Moreover, practising of extensive grazing can also help to maintain soil C stocks due to regular organic matter input by livestock (Abdalla et al, 2018;Forster et al, 2021). However, for less profitable farms, acid-tolerant grass species can be grown.…”

Section: Total Net Ghg Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does liming grasslands increase biomass productivity without causing detrimental impacts on net greenhouse gas emissions?

Abdalla

Espenberg

Zavattaro

et al. 2022

Environmental Pollution

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Section: Net Co 2 Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Total Net Ghg Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does liming grasslands increase biomass productivity without causing detrimental impacts on net greenhouse gas emissions?

Abdalla

Espenberg

Zavattaro

et al. 2022

Environmental Pollution

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“…To some extent, models allow insight into interactions between processes and to make predictions and contrast alternative scenarios. Changes in soil carbon cycling due to management interventions for example can evolve over several decades (Forster et al, 2021); time horizons that are impractical and costly to measure in field experiments, and given the imminent need to reduce atmospheric GHGs (Alcock et al, 2015;Sándor et al, 2016Sándor et al, , 2020, simulations permit assessment and exploration that would often be not otherwise possible Harrison et al (2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use, calibration and verification of agroecological models for boreal environments: A review

et al. 2022

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Past assessments report negative impacts of the climate crisis in boreal areas; but milder and shorter winters and elevated atmospheric CO 2 may provide opportunities for agricultural productivity potentially playing a significant role in future food security. Arable cropping systems are expanding in boreal areas, but the regional mainstay will likely continue to be livestock production. Agroecological models can when appropriately calibrated and evaluated, facilitate improved productivity while minimising environmental impacts by identifying system interactions, and quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon stocks and fertiliser use. While models designed for temperate and tropical zones abound, few are developed specifically for boreal zones, and there is uncertainty around the performance of existing models in boreal areas. We reviewed model performance across boreal environments and management systems. We identified a dearth of modelling studies in boreal regions, with the publication of three or less papers per year since the year 2000, constituting a significant research gap. Models IFSM and BASGRA_N performed best in grassland production, DNDC best in predicting soil N 2 O and NH 3 emissions. No model outperformed all others, strengthening the case for ensemble modelling. Existing agroecological models would be worthy of further evaluation, providing model improvements designed for boreal systems.

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Enhancing soil carbon in solar farms through active land management: a systematic review of the available evidence

Carvalho,

Healing,

Armstrong

2024

Environ. Res.: Ecology

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Ground-mounted solar farms are becoming common features of agricultural landscapes worldwide in the move to meet internationally agreed Net Zero targets. In addition to offering low-carbon energy, solar farms in temperate environments can be purposely managed as grasslands that enhance soil carbon uptake to maximise their climate benefits and improve soil health. However, there is little evidence to date on the ecosystem effects of land use change for solar farms, including their impact on soil carbon storage and sequestration potential through land management practices. We review the latest evidence on the associations between grassland management options commonly adopted by solar farms in temperate regions (plant diversity manipulation, mowing, grazing, and nutrient addition) and soil carbon to identify appropriate land management practices that can enhance soil carbon within solar farms managed as grasslands. Soil carbon response to land management intervention is highly variable and context-dependent, but those most likely to enhance soil carbon accrual include organic nutrient addition (e.g., cattle slurry), low-to-moderate intensity sheep grazing, and the planting of legume and plant indicator species. Plant removal and long-term (years to decades) mineral fertilisation are the most likely to result in soil carbon loss over time. These results can inform policy and industry best practice to increase ecosystem service provision within solar farms and help them deliver net environmental benefits beyond low-carbon energy. Regular monitoring and data collection (preferably using standardised methods) will be needed to ensure soil carbon gains from land management practices, especially given the microclimatic and management conditions found within solar farms.

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Influence of liming and sward management on soil carbon storage by semi-improved upland grasslands

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Does liming grasslands increase biomass productivity without causing detrimental impacts on net greenhouse gas emissions?

Does liming grasslands increase biomass productivity without causing detrimental impacts on net greenhouse gas emissions?

Use, calibration and verification of agroecological models for boreal environments: A review

Enhancing soil carbon in solar farms through active land management: a systematic review of the available evidence

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