What are the Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Implications of Soil Amendments on Rangelands?
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Research Team
Marcia S. DeLonge,* Rebecca Ryals, and Whendee L. Silver (Ecosystem Sciences Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley)
Results
- Composted manure and plant waste produced less greenhouse gas emissions than either the application of manure slurries or the application of inorganic N fertilizer across a broad range of environmental and management conditions.
- Secondary benefits were also achieved by only compost amendments, including increased plant productivity, soil C sequestration, and reduced need for commercial feeds.
- Compost amendments could result in significant offsets to greenhouse gas emissions, amounting to over 28 MMg CO2e when scaled to 5% of California rangelands, while sustaining productive lands and reducing waste loads.