Description
Implementation of ranching practices that lead to greater soil carbon sequestration has become increasingly important due to rising atmospheric CO2 levels. Sustainable ranching practices are suggested to improve soil health and sequester more carbon in the soil. However, there is a paucity of measured data from replicated on-farm studies to support this premise. Thus, we developed a soil carbon monitoring program for a ranch located in the state of Oregon. Our monitoring program is focused on measuring the net carbon budget and the soil carbon sequestration totals. To achieve this goal, we combined field-sampling data with the COMET-Farm model. A total of 21 sites were sampled over a two-year period from 2020-2022. Soil was sampled at 0-20cm and 20-60cm depth for soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N) and standing plant biomass. SOC from the top 20cm increased (P < 0.05) from 32.70 ton/ha in spring 2020, to 40.44 ton/ha in spring of 2022. Total soil carbon sampled during the fall of 2020 increased (P=0.02) from 29.31 ton/ha to 42.69 ton/ha in fall of 2021. Carbon pool at 60cm depth was more stable and mostly remained unchanged (P > 0.05). The COMET model revealed that the ranch operations are avoiding an estimate of 8880 tons of emissions of CO2 equivalents per year. The results indicated that the monitored ranch is functioning as a carbon sink. Our next step is to implement the monitoring program on the other ranches participating on this study. Rangelands have high potential to sequester carbon if managed properly, which offers added value to products or commodities produced on rangelands.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Soil Carbon Monitoring Program for Ranches in Dryland Ecosystems
Implementation of ranching practices that lead to greater soil carbon sequestration has become increasingly important due to rising atmospheric CO2 levels. Sustainable ranching practices are suggested to improve soil health and sequester more carbon in the soil. However, there is a paucity of measured data from replicated on-farm studies to support this premise. Thus, we developed a soil carbon monitoring program for a ranch located in the state of Oregon. Our monitoring program is focused on measuring the net carbon budget and the soil carbon sequestration totals. To achieve this goal, we combined field-sampling data with the COMET-Farm model. A total of 21 sites were sampled over a two-year period from 2020-2022. Soil was sampled at 0-20cm and 20-60cm depth for soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N) and standing plant biomass. SOC from the top 20cm increased (P < 0.05) from 32.70 ton/ha in spring 2020, to 40.44 ton/ha in spring of 2022. Total soil carbon sampled during the fall of 2020 increased (P=0.02) from 29.31 ton/ha to 42.69 ton/ha in fall of 2021. Carbon pool at 60cm depth was more stable and mostly remained unchanged (P > 0.05). The COMET model revealed that the ranch operations are avoiding an estimate of 8880 tons of emissions of CO2 equivalents per year. The results indicated that the monitored ranch is functioning as a carbon sink. Our next step is to implement the monitoring program on the other ranches participating on this study. Rangelands have high potential to sequester carbon if managed properly, which offers added value to products or commodities produced on rangelands.
