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Effects of Climate and Soil Properties on U.S. Home Lawn Soil Organic Carbon Concentration and Pool

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Abstract

Following turfgrass establishment, soils sequester carbon (C) over time. However, the magnitude of this sequestration may be influenced by a range of climatic and soil factors. Analysis of home lawn turfgrass soils throughout the United States indicated that both climatic and soil properties significantly affected the soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration and pool to 15-cm depth. Soil sampling showed that the mean annual temperature (MAT) was negatively correlated with SOC concentration. Additionally, a nonlinear interaction was observed between mean annual precipitation (MAP) and SOC concentration with optimal sequestration occurring in soils receiving 60–70 cm of precipitation per year. Furthermore, soil properties also influenced SOC concentration. Soil nitrogen (N) had a high positive correlation with SOC concentration, as a 0.1 % increase in N concentration led to a 0.99 % increase in SOC concentration. Additionally, soil bulk density (ρb) had a curvilinear interaction with SOC concentration, with an increase in ρb indicating a positive effect on SOC concentration until a ρb of ~1.4–1.5 Mg m−3 was attained, after which, inhibition of SOC sequestration occurred. Finally, no correlation between SOC concentration or pool was observed with texture. Based upon these results, highest SOC pools within this study are observed in regions of low MAT, moderate MAP (60–70 cm year−1), high soil N concentration, and moderate ρb (1.4–1.5 Mg m−3). In order to maximize the C storage capacity of home lawns, non C-intensive management practices should be used to maintain soils within these conditions.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Environmental Science Graduate Program at The Ohio State University and Scotts Lawn Service. Additionally, this material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant DGE-0638669. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. We are grateful to all of the home owners for allowing us the time and use of their land for soil sampling. Additional consideration goes out to Bruce Augustin of Scotts Lawn Service, who provided valuable information regarding home lawn turfgrasses as well as Klaus Lorenz and Basant Rimal who aided in the C analysis.

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  1. Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, Ohio State University, 422B Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Adam Selhorst & Rattan Lal

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  1. Adam Selhorst
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Correspondence to Adam Selhorst.

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Selhorst, A., Lal, R. Effects of Climate and Soil Properties on U.S. Home Lawn Soil Organic Carbon Concentration and Pool. Environmental Management 50, 1177–1192 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-012-9956-9

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