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Carbon Stocks and Total Belowground Carbon Flux Respond to Weather and Grazing in Semiarid Montane Meadows

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Abstract

Montane meadow ecosystems are regional carbon (C) hot spots relative to surrounding uplands and can be substantial C sinks or sources. In the semiarid Great Basin region of the western United States, meadows are vital to hydrology, livestock production, and wildlife. To elucidate factors contributing to meadow C cycling in the Great Basin, we measured the impact of interannual weather, grazing, vegetation communities, and edaphic characteristics on carbon stocks and total belowground C flux (TBCF) in meadows. Meadow carbon stocks were three times larger than average ecosystem carbon stocks in surrounding uplands. Fluxes in the surface (0–15 cm) soil dominated TBCF. In years with above average precipitation, TBCF rates were among the highest we found in the literature. In years with below average precipitation, TBCF was near or below zero, likely indicating soil C loss. Roots consistently contributed 40% of their biomass to soil C. Belowground carbon fluxes differed by plant community and benefited from grazing reduction during periods of below average precipitation, demonstrating the importance of matching grazing intensity to annual weather. Among fluxes (soil respiration, change in root C, change in soil C, and litter inputs), soil C change dominated TBCF. Measuring the gross C inputs to soils (TBCF) may be an effective way to assess the impact of management and interannual weather on meadow C stock before net changes in soil C are observed. Due to the large C stocks found in meadows, the impacts of grazing management and interannual weather should be considered in regional C inventories.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the land managers of Smith Creek Ranch for allowing us to cross private lands to access these sites. We are also grateful for two anonymous reviewers who helped provide revisions. This work was supported by a Hatch Project NEV05299 (Accession No. 1016043).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, The University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St. Mail Stop 186, Reno, Nevada, 89557, USA

    Brian M. Morra & Benjamin W. Sullivan

  2. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary, and Rangeland Sciences, The University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, Nevada, 89557, USA

    Will C. Richardson & Tamzen K. Stringham

  3. The Global Water Center, The University of Nevada, 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, Nevada, 89557, USA

    Benjamin W. Sullivan

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  1. Brian M. Morra
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Correspondence to Brian M. Morra.

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Author Contributions B.M., W.R. & B.S. collected field data and conducted laboratory analyses; B.M. & B.S. conducted statistical analyses; T.S. provided site access and landowner permission; T.S. & B.S. obtained funding; B.M. wrote the manuscript with substantial input from all authors.

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Morra, B.M., Richardson, W.C., Stringham, T.K. et al. Carbon Stocks and Total Belowground Carbon Flux Respond to Weather and Grazing in Semiarid Montane Meadows. Ecosystems 26, 1428–1440 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-023-00843-3

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