Grassland rehabilitation significantly increases soil carbon stocks by reducing net soil CO ₂ emissions

Restoration of degraded grasslands through improved management is among the possible sustainable solutions to compensate for anthropogenic soil carbon (C) emissions. While several studies have shown a positive effect rehabilitation on C, impact CO2 emissions still uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed at quantifying grassland in grassland, South Africa. Commonly used practices were considered, that rotational grazing (RG), livestock exclosure with fertilizer application (EF) and annual burning (AB), all being compared traditional free (FG). A total 2880 situ measurements performed over 2.5 years under field conditions simultaneously aboveground biomass, temperature, water content organic C (SOC) understand changes fluxes. The RG best by decreasing net (per g C) 17% FG, while EF increased 76% AB had similar FG. lower emission associated an increase SOC stocks 50% biomass 93%, after three implementation. Soil correlated positively topsoil temperature (r = 0.91 0.60, respectively), implying high grass cover microclimate microbial activity. These results suggested as potential cost-effective nature-based strategy into grassland. However, long-term trials replicated different environments are required.