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Carbon Dynamics and Sequestration in Urban Turfgrass Ecosystems

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Carbon Sequestration in Urban Ecosystems

Abstract

Urbanization is a global trend. Turfgrass covers 1.9% of land in the continental US, occupying about 16 million ha. In this article, we review existing literature associated with carbon (C) pools, sequestration, and nitrous oxide emission of urban turfgrass ecosystems. Turfgrasses exhibit significant carbon sequestration (0.34–1.4 Mg ha−1 year−1) during the first 25–30 years after turf establishment. Several studies have reported that residential turfgrass soil can store up to twofold higher soil organic carbon (SOC) content than agricultural soils. Published research suggests that the dynamics of nitrogen (N) is controlled by C transformation. Turfgrass areas have high levels of SOC and microbial biomass creating a carbon-based “sink” for inorganic N. Therefore, lower than “expected” nitrate leaching and N2O emissions have been measured in the majority of the experiments carried out for turfgrass ecosystems. Increased SOC in turfgrass soil can result from: (1) returning and recycling clippings, (2) appropriate and efficient-fertilizer use, and (3) irrigation based on turfgrass needs. Some turfgrass management practices (such as fertilization, mowing, and irrigation) carry a carbon “cost”. Therefore turfgrass’s contribution to a sink for carbon in soils must be discounted by fuel and energy expenses and fertilizer uses in maintaining turf, and the flux of N2O. More work is needed to evaluate the carbon sequestration, total carbon budget, and fluxes of the other greenhouse gases in turfgrass systems.

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Abbreviations

C:

carbon

N:

nitrogen

SOC:

soil organic carbon

SON:

soil organic nitrogen

SOM:

soil organic matter

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1173, USA

    Yaling Qian

  2. Soil-Plant-Nutrient Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Fort Collins, CO, 80522, USA

    Ronald Follett

Authors
  1. Yaling Qian
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  2. Ronald Follett
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yaling Qian .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. OARDC, Carbon Management &, Ohio State University, Coffey Road 2021, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, USA

    Rattan Lal

  2. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Scottslawn Road 14111, Marysville, 43041, Ohio, USA

    Bruce Augustin

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Qian, Y., Follett, R. (2012). Carbon Dynamics and Sequestration in Urban Turfgrass Ecosystems. In: Lal, R., Augustin, B. (eds) Carbon Sequestration in Urban Ecosystems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2366-5_8

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