What is the carbon storage capacity of soils in grasslands resulting from deforestation? This question was at the heart of the CARPAGG project on greenhouse gases and carbon in grasslands in French Guiana. To come up with an answer, the scientists involved in the project studied control forests and grasslands aged between six months and over forty years. The pasture systems of French Guiana, like those in many livestock production regions worldwide, serve both productive and environmental purposes. The scientists attempted to understand the biological mechanisms and farmer practices involved in maintaining or reconstituting carbon reserves after deforestation and establishment of pasture. The study revealed that carbon reserves in grassland soils after more than thirty years (135 t C/ha ±11.3) were equivalent to or greater than those of the original forest soils (99.6 t C/ha ±7.4).
via CIRAD - Actualités / News http://www.cirad.fr/news/all-news-items/articles/2013/science/grasslands-are-carbon-sinks
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