Carbon sequestration and sustainability of complex integrated crop-livestock systems in California

(RA: Kelsey Brewer PI: Amélie Gaudin)

Project Overview

Animal integration into croplands has been proposed as a strategy to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration in soils. This project aims at quantifying the influence of ICLS variations and fertility management on carbon pools and net system productivity in California annual and perennial cropland. Additionally, increases in total organic soil carbon content and biodiversity through livestock integration have been shown to shape soil ecosystem and the services they provide. We are applying system analysis to assess co-benefits and potential tradeoffs of shifts in soil carbon for soil structure and biochemical properties, water and nitrogen balance and the resulting impacts on system resilience and productivity