Grassland afforestation in Southern South America: Carbon sequestration potential & soil/water costs

JOBBÁGY, E G; NOSETTO, M D; FARLEY, K; JACKSON, R; PIÑEIRO, G; PARUELO, J M

Beijing, China

Congreso; Regional Carbon Budgets: from methodologies to quantification; 2004

Global Carbon Project & Chinese Academy of Sciences

Highlights: The transformation of all remnant grasslands of the region to eucalypt/pine plantations will potentially sequester ~0.2 Pg C yr-1, based mainly on biomass C gains ranging 1.2 - 5.7 Mg Ha-1 yr-1. Afforested grassland soils acidify due to the intense Ca redistribution driven by trees. This could limit long term tree production as well as alternative land uses. Higher evapotranspiration in afforested grasslands reduces stream flow and groundwater recharge. Access and use of groundwater by trees can enhance C uptake but salinize soils and aquifers.