Grazing Management

Soils of grasslands represent a large potential reservoir for storing CO2 , but this potential likely depends on how grasslands are managed for large mammal grazing. Rotational grazing utilizes a portion of the grazing land while allowing the remainder to rest. Livestock is rotated from section to section allowing the “resting” portion to recover. Rotational grazing leads to recovered grass, greater infiltration with lower runoff, and a deeper organic layer that absorbs more carbon. More soil carbon means greater moisture retention and nutrient cycling capacity, making the land more resilient to drought.