The effects of grassland management practices, and the role of hedgerows, on farmland carbon sequestration and storage

Grassland reseeding resulted in temporary releases of CO2 due to the removal of vegetative cover. Spring ploughing resulted in higher flux rates, however due to more rapid vegetation establishment less CO2 was released than ploughing in autumn. Land use change also resulted in releases of CO2 due to removal of vegetative cover.

Methods of grassland rejuvenation and cropland establishment should maintain a cover to prevent net releases of CO2. Hedgerows can be considered as an ecosystem in terms of carbon cycling with carbon sequestration and partitioning occurring in a similar manner to forests. Published estimates of carbon storage are varied, depending on assessment methods, and further work is needed to lessen uncertainty.

Hedges in Northern Ireland added an additional 44.15 – 73.27 t C ha-1 on an average area 0.94km2 (mean area of two study farms, Crossnacreevy and Loughgall) . Physical land uses as seen in agricultural systems are shown to impact upon carbon cycles, leading to either increased emissions or increased storage of carbon.