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Map of Temperate Grasslands in the World

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Map of Temperate Grasslands in the World

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(Ducksters, 2019)

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(Oggmus, 2014)

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Graph of Greenhouse Gass intake in Grasslands

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Graph of Greenhouse Gass intake in Grasslands

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(Chang et al., 2021)

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The Velds of South Africa are an area of grasslands that are used for farming. The most dominant species of grass is the red grass. The red grass that grows on well drained and fertile soils is called sweetveld. Sweetveld is commonly used for livestock. Red grass growing on well drained and fertile soils is called sweetveld. Red grass that grows on soil with lighter rainfall is called sourveld. Sourveld is only usable in the winter for fodder for cattle. (Humbelani Silas Mudau, Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali, Nkosomzi Sipango, Hilda Kwena Mokoboki, & Moyo, 2022)

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It has been found that grasslands are more resilient than forests when it comes to trapping CO2. While in forests the Carbon is held in the wood and leaves of the trees, Grasslands store it underground in the soil. This comes into play mainly with burning. When a grassland burns, the carbon is able to stay underground in the soil but forests release the CO2 back into the atmosphere. (Kerlin, 2018)

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One thing that could be threatening to the velds of South Africa is the growth of trees. Due to the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere, people are encouraged to plant more trees. However, the planting of new trees could be harmful to temperate grasslands. Growing trees in grasslands threatens their landscape because trees and grass are competitors. Additionally, poor management of livestock production in the Velds can lead to degraded grasslands. This is why it is important for the farms and grazing to be managed properly, so that the environment is protected. (Humbelani Silas Mudau, Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali, Nkosomzi Sipango, Hilda Kwena Mokoboki, & Moyo, 2022)

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How do the world's grasslands trap carbon? 

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How do the world's grasslands trap carbon? 

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The species in native grasslands tend to have extensive root systems, which play a crucial role in sequestering carbon. The rate of carbon sequestration directly correlates to the soil depth. When carbon is processed through photosynthesis, plants with deep roots are able to deposit the carbon into deep soil layers, where it is more likely to stay. (“Discovering the Carbon Storage Value of South Africa’s Grasslands,” 2024)

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How could the Velds become a potential source of Carbon? 

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How could the Velds become a potential source of Carbon? 

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There is not much risk for the Velds to produce CO2, but there is some potential concern about other greenhouse gases. The Velds in South Africa are commonly used for livestock production. This may potentially increase in the future, and threaten the natural landscape. The human practice of farming and eating meat leads to the production of CH4, or methane. So, if the livestock production in the Velds increases, then methane and other harmful greenhouse gases will also increase in the atmosphere. (Ferreira & Kimble, 2019)

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The biggest threat to the South African velds is wildfires. The government, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), have attempted to put over 200 fire protection associations into play. Many lives and millions of rands worth of damages due to the fires are lost yearly.

(South, 2024)

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What is the story of this biome as a carbon sink?

Carbons sequestered through photosynthesis and trapped below the soil.

Where is it located? What grows there? How is it unique?

Located in all parts of the world.

How does it sequester CO2?

Traps the CO2 underground in the soil and roots

How efficient is it (compared to others) at sequestration of CO2?

Unlike other sources its carbon is able to stay trapped even if destroyed/burned

Threats to this biome

Too many forests, wildfires & uncontrolled livestock

Means to conserve it

Stopping wildfires & letting it grow un disturbed

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(“Figure 2: The National Veldfire Risk Map (Forsyth et Al. 2010),” 2024)

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Temperate Grasslands Carbon Sinks Project Bibliography