Summary
Using a spatially explicit land surface model, Chang et al. quantified the global greenhouse gas balance of grasslands from 1750–2012, isolating human management effects from climate-driven changes. The analysis reveals that whilst climate change itself enhanced soil carbon sinks through increased productivity, direct human activities—particularly livestock intensification and grassland conversion—shifted grasslands from carbon sinks to sources. The net global radiative forcing of all grasslands is now approximately neutral but increasing since the 1960s, with managed grasslands' warming effects cancelling the cooling from natural grassland carbon sinks.
UK applicability
The findings are relevant to UK grassland policy and management, as the United Kingdom operates substantial managed pasture systems for livestock production. The study suggests that UK pastoral systems may face similar trade-offs between livestock production and climate mitigation unless sustainable management practices—such as rotational grazing and soil carbon enhancement—are prioritised.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O); radiative forcing; soil organic matter carbon; direct versus indirect climate drivers; regional and temporal patterns
Outcomes reported
The study quantified the net radiative forcing contribution of grasslands to past climate change from 1750 to 2012, separating the effects of direct human management from indirect climate drivers. It demonstrated that managed grasslands currently generate net warming that offsets the climate cooling benefit of carbon sinks in natural and sparsely grazed grasslands.
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