Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryIndustry / policy reportConventional

Soil health and carbon capture in multi-species swards

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board · 2026

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Summary

This AHDB knowledge synthesis integrates peer-reviewed and grey literature to examine how plant diversity in grassland swards influences soil carbon capture and biological health in United Kingdom grazing systems. As a practitioner-oriented evidence synthesis rather than primary research, it bridges the evidence–practice gap by translating research findings into actionable guidance for grazing managers. The specific quantitative effect sizes, mechanistic pathways, and recommended sward compositions would require access to the full publication.

Regional applicability

This synthesis is directly relevant to United Kingdom grazing practice, as it specifically synthesises evidence in the context of UK grazing systems and is published by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the statutory research and development body for English agriculture. The findings should be immediately applicable to UK farm management and policy.

Key measures

Soil carbon capture, soil biological health indicators, plant species diversity metrics in grassland swards

Outcomes reported

The synthesis examines relationships between plant diversity in multi-species grassland swards and soil carbon sequestration and biological health indicators. It synthesises peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify mechanistic pathways and practical implications for United Kingdom grazing systems.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Grassland & pasture systems
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Evidence synthesis / knowledge synthesis
Source type
Industry/policy report
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Pasture-based livestock
Catalogue ID
IRmqf5q0dv-34cb47

Topic tags

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