Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review

Grasslands occupy almost half of the world's land area. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of soil fertility and grassland productivity. Increasing SOC stocks (so‐called SOC sequestration) improves soil fertility and contributes to climate change mitigation by binding atmospheric carbon di...

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Main Authors: Tessema, Bezaye, Sommer, Rolf, Piikki, Kristin, Söderström, Mats, Namirembe, Sara, Notenbaert, An Maria Omer, Tamene, Lulseged D., Nyawira, Sylvia, Paul, Birthe K.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Wiley 2020
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107070
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author Tessema, Bezaye
Sommer, Rolf
Piikki, Kristin
Söderström, Mats
Namirembe, Sara
Notenbaert, An Maria Omer
Tamene, Lulseged D.
Nyawira, Sylvia
Paul, Birthe K.
author_browse Namirembe, Sara
Notenbaert, An Maria Omer
Nyawira, Sylvia
Paul, Birthe K.
Piikki, Kristin
Sommer, Rolf
Söderström, Mats
Tamene, Lulseged D.
Tessema, Bezaye
author_facet Tessema, Bezaye
Sommer, Rolf
Piikki, Kristin
Söderström, Mats
Namirembe, Sara
Notenbaert, An Maria Omer
Tamene, Lulseged D.
Nyawira, Sylvia
Paul, Birthe K.
author_sort Tessema, Bezaye
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Grasslands occupy almost half of the world's land area. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of soil fertility and grassland productivity. Increasing SOC stocks (so‐called SOC sequestration) improves soil fertility and contributes to climate change mitigation by binding atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Grasslands constitute about 70% of all agricultural land, but their potential for SOC sequestration is largely unknown. This review paper quantitatively summarizes observation‐based studies on the SOC sequestration potential of grasslands in six East African countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) and seeks to identify knowledge gaps related to SOC sequestration potential in the region. In the studies reviewed, SOC stocks in grasslands range from 3 to 93 Mg C/ha in the upper 0.3 m of the soil profile, while SOC sequestration rate ranges from 0.1 to 3.1 Mg C ha‐1 year‐1 under different management strategies. Grazing management is reported to have a considerable impact on SOC sequestration rates, and grassland regeneration and protection are recommended as options to stimulate SOC sequestration. However, a very limited number of relevant studies are available (n = 23) and there is a need for fundamental information on SOC sequestration potential in the region. The effectiveness of potential incentive mechanisms, such as payments for environmental services, to foster uptake of SOC‐enhancing practices should also be assessed.
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spelling CGSpace1070702025-11-12T05:54:43Z Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review Tessema, Bezaye Sommer, Rolf Piikki, Kristin Söderström, Mats Namirembe, Sara Notenbaert, An Maria Omer Tamene, Lulseged D. Nyawira, Sylvia Paul, Birthe K. feed crops grasslands praderas soil fertility greenhouse gases gases de efecto invernadero grazing pastoreo Grasslands occupy almost half of the world's land area. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of soil fertility and grassland productivity. Increasing SOC stocks (so‐called SOC sequestration) improves soil fertility and contributes to climate change mitigation by binding atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Grasslands constitute about 70% of all agricultural land, but their potential for SOC sequestration is largely unknown. This review paper quantitatively summarizes observation‐based studies on the SOC sequestration potential of grasslands in six East African countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) and seeks to identify knowledge gaps related to SOC sequestration potential in the region. In the studies reviewed, SOC stocks in grasslands range from 3 to 93 Mg C/ha in the upper 0.3 m of the soil profile, while SOC sequestration rate ranges from 0.1 to 3.1 Mg C ha‐1 year‐1 under different management strategies. Grazing management is reported to have a considerable impact on SOC sequestration rates, and grassland regeneration and protection are recommended as options to stimulate SOC sequestration. However, a very limited number of relevant studies are available (n = 23) and there is a need for fundamental information on SOC sequestration potential in the region. The effectiveness of potential incentive mechanisms, such as payments for environmental services, to foster uptake of SOC‐enhancing practices should also be assessed. 2020-07 2020-02-12T19:19:38Z 2020-02-12T19:19:38Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107070 en Open Access application/pdf Wiley Tessema, B.; Sommer, R.; Piikki, K.; Söderström, M.; Namirembe, S.; Notenbaert, A.M.; Tamene, L.; Nyawira, S.; Paul, B. (2020) Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review. Grassland Science 10 p. ISSN: 1744-697X
spellingShingle feed crops
grasslands
praderas
soil fertility
greenhouse gases
gases de efecto invernadero
grazing
pastoreo
Tessema, Bezaye
Sommer, Rolf
Piikki, Kristin
Söderström, Mats
Namirembe, Sara
Notenbaert, An Maria Omer
Tamene, Lulseged D.
Nyawira, Sylvia
Paul, Birthe K.
Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review
title Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review
title_full Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review
title_fullStr Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review
title_full_unstemmed Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review
title_short Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review
title_sort potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in east african countries a review
topic feed crops
grasslands
praderas
soil fertility
greenhouse gases
gases de efecto invernadero
grazing
pastoreo
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107070
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