That's what I am after. Is there any hard data out there Well Wayne, That's what I am after. Is there any hard data out there for the rate/amount/whatever of C that a woodland can "sequester" (above and below ground) vs. the same under grassland under appropiate grazing.
I realize that under the same rainfall regime, if it's a grassland it probably is too dry to get a woodland to grow, the exception probably being the ecotone between eastern woodlands and tall grass praerie. Abraham de Alba Avila Terrestrial Plant Ecology INIFAP-Ags Ap. postal 20, Pabellón Arteaga, 20660 Aguascalientes, MEXICO SKYPE: adealba55 Tel: (465) 95-801-67, & 801-86 ext. 126, FAX ext 102 alternate: [email protected] cel: 449-157-7070 ________________________________ From: Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, September 4, 2009 11:10:31 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Ecosystem Management Re: [ECOLOG-L] C Seq Grass vs Wood All: As in all science, shouldn't there be a specific theoretical foundation for such conclusions and at least some preliminary calculations to shoot at first? Sounds like "range management" kaka de toro and a "carbon sequestration" bandwagon to me. It needs some kind of proof, then some retesting by truly independent researchers before applying it to policy, such as chaining the trees and shrubs out and planting grass. Such an "argument" can't be settled honestly on the basis of opinion. WT Suggested reading: "Wildlife of Mexico" by A. Starker Leopold. (Especially the "before" and "after" pictures of cornfield erosion. I'm not suggesting that the case illustrated is comparable in every detail, only in principle. Presumptuous "management" has trashed a lot of "range" in both the USA and Mexico.) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Abraham de Alba A." <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 12:45 PM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] C Seq Grass vs Wood I am trying to settle an interesting argument and my dear ecologgers: I am trying to settle an interesting argument and my library resources are quite limited, I hope you can direct me to reputable references. There is the general belief (even academic) that forests or woodlands in general can be a Carbon net sink, I am told that is not totally true, since an early successional woodland, would probably be growing fast, respiring also (so producing more C than sequestrating). Now grasslands, if grazed properly (enough time given for recuperation) is is argued that the root loss due to grazing can increase the net C content in the soil (which is more stable than the above ground wood), even better if high density grazing can topple residue and mix it with urine and feaces. What do you think ? Abraham de Alba Avila Terrestrial Plant Ecology INIFAP-Ags Ap. postal 20, Pabellón Arteaga, 20660 Aguascalientes, MEXICO SKYPE: adealba55 Tel: (465) 95-801-67, & 801-86 ext. 126, FAX ext 102 alternate: [email protected] cel: 449-157-7070 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.76/2343 - Release Date: 09/03/09 05:50:00
