Executive Summary

With support from the CO2 Foundation, we used initial data from the Ag-C Monitoring Program to forecast the long-term climate benefits of two rangeland conservation practices using the process-based ecosystem model DayCent. See the technical report, linked below, to learn more about the estimated climate benefits for perennial range plantings and silvopasture over time. We evaluate the potential contribution of rangeland conservation practices to CA climate goals and compare our findings to estimates from the commonly applied COMET-Planner web-based tool.

Key results include:

• Perennial grass plantings offered greater annual greenhouse gas savings than silvopasture (0.35 vs. 0.06 Mg CO2-eq/ha/yr), due to low tree planting density and estimated CH4 increases.
• Our estimated climate benefits were 66% and 93% lower than COMET-Planner estimates for perennial grass and silvopasture plantings, respectively. To improve COMET estimates, we recommend calibrating the tool using region-specific field data, using the tool for only near-term climate benefits, and considering N2O and CH4 impacts when estimating climate benefits for all practices.
• Perennial range plantings are an effective land-based climate solution and could contribute to 3.4 MMT CO2-eq year-1 towards California’s short-term emissions reduction goals if adopted on annual grass rangelands statewide.

Many thanks to land stewards who participated in this initial Range-C Monitoring Program study for contributing their data to research efforts. This report is the first of many examples of how data-sharing facilitates a deeper understanding of conservation practice impacts. Stay tuned for more insights from the Ag-C Monitoring Program or email us at rangeC@pointblue.org!