Effects of organic matter amendments on net primary productivity and greenhouse gas emissions in annual grasslands
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Published source details
Ryals R. & Silver W.L. (2013) Effects of organic matter amendments on net primary productivity and greenhouse gas emissions in annual grasslands. Ecological Applications, 23, 46-59.
Published source details Ryals R. & Silver W.L. (2013) Effects of organic matter amendments on net primary productivity and greenhouse gas emissions in annual grasslands. Ecological Applications, 23, 46-59.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Other biodiversity: Add compost to the soil Action Link |
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Soil: Add compost to the soil Action Link |
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Other biodiversity: Add compost to the soil
A replicated, randomized, controlled, paired study in 2008–2011 in grazed annual grasslands in California, USA, found more plant biomass in plots with added compost, compared to plots without added compost. Plants: More plant biomass (measured as carbon) was found in plots with added compost (50–175 more g C/m2/year, above ground, dry weight). Methods: Composted organic green waste was added to three treatment plots (129 g total N/m2), but not six control plots, at each of two sites (coastal grassland in Nicasio and valley grassland in Browns Valley). The plots were 25 x 60 m. Above-ground plant biomass was measured at the end of the growing season (1,800 cm2/plot).
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Soil: Add compost to the soil
A replicated, randomized, controlled, paired study in 2008–2011 in grazed annual grasslands in California, USA, found more organic matter and carbon dioxide in soils with added compost, compared to soils without added compost. Organic matter: More organic carbon was found in soils with added compost, compared to soils without added compost, in three of seven comparisons (350–1,000 more g C/m2). Greenhouse gases: More carbon dioxide was found in soils with added compost, compared to soils without added compost, in four of six comparisons (150–250 more g CO2-C/m2/year), but no differences were found in other greenhouse gases (methane: –1.4 to –2.5 g CH4-C/ha/day; nitrous oxide: 0.1–1.0 g N2O-N/ha/day). Methods: Composted organic green waste was added to three treatment plots (129 g total N/m2), but not to six control plots, at each of two sites (coastal grassland in Nicasio and valley grassland in Browns Valley). The plots were 25 x 60 m. Greenhouse gases were measured in flux chambers, every 1–4 weeks for three years. Organic carbon was measured in soil samples that were collected at the end of the growing seasons (May or June, nine soil cores/plot, 7 cm diameter, 10 cm depth).
