A Review of Grassland Ecosystems as Carbon Sinks: Opportunities and Challenges for Climate-Smart Land Use and Agriculture

Never Assan, Enock Muteyo, Mgcini Moyo and Prince Chisoro
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Never Assan: Professor Extraordinaire, University of South Africa, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, South Africa
Enock Muteyo: Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture Management, Harare Regional Campus, Harare, Zimbabwe
Mgcini Moyo: Lupane State University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Department of Educational Foundations, Lupane, Zimbabwe
Prince Chisoro: Gwaimana Consolidated (Pvt) Ltd, Institute of Research, Chipinge, Manicaland, Zimbabwe

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 2025, vol. 10, issue 4, 1040-1076

Abstract: Grassland ecosystems plays a crucial role as carbon sinks, presenting opportunities for climate-smart land use and agriculture. Through the implementation of sustainable management practices, these ecosystems can enhance carbon sequestration, mitigate climate change, and bolster agricultural productivity. Nevertheless, challenges such as land degradation, overgrazing, and climate variability must be addressed to fully realize the potential of grasslands as carbon sinks. This review elucidates the role of grassland ecosystems in the global carbon cycle, emphasizing their capacity to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change. It explores strategies such as agro-silvo pastoralism, which integrates trees, livestock, and crops, and integrated crop-livestock systems, which optimize resource use and carbon storage. The review aims to provide insights into sustainable land use practices for climate change mitigation and ecosystem health. Despite ongoing research, uncertainties persist regarding the impact of land use patterns on climate change. This review underscores the importance of effective grassland management and land-use patterns that prioritize carbon sinks in mitigating climate change. These systems offer a threefold climate benefit: enhanced carbon sequestration, increased soil organic carbon storage, and reduced anthropogenic COâ‚‚ emissions. The study emphasizes the necessity of integrating land change science into global environmental research and sustainability initiatives, and highlights the significance of vegetative cover restoration, sustainable ecosystem management, and modified land-use patterns in promoting healthier soil carbon stocks and mitigating climate change impacts. By adopting sustainable land use practices, we can enhance biomass yields, increase carbon inputs, and promote environmental resilience, ultimately contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Date: 2025
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