24th Annual Student Research Conference
Demonstrating Carbon Sequestration with a Verifiable Land-Use Change
Joshua A. Mantooth
Dr. Michael I. Kelrick, Faculty Mentor
At the University Farm, we established a quarter-acre carbon sequestration test plot in summer 2009, replacing a non-native tall fescue pasture with a species-rich community of native trees, shrubs, grasses and forbs a verifiable land-use change. This test plot is being measured against the current land use to determine whether a net increase in carbon sequestration occurs through increased soil organic carbon and carbon stored in herbaceous and woody biomass. Moreover, a theory-based hypothesis that higher plant species richness drives more rapid and greater carbon sequestration in soils is also being examined. In association with this study, we have mounted the Environmental Studies course Climate Change, Land Use Change. We are attempting to assess the viability of using carbon sequestration and carbon credit generation as an attractive and viable land-use practice that has local and global environmental benefits, as well as economic benefits to farmers and rural landowners.
Keywords: carbon sequestration, land use change, environmental studies, carbon credit generation, soil organic carbon, climate change
Topic(s):Environmental Studies
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 5-1
Location: Georgian Room - SUB
Time: 4:30