Carbon Storage Under Bermudagrass Fairways in the Southeast.

With the current focus on climate change, there is much interest in C sequestration beneath turfgrasses. Soil carbon dynamics may differ among regions and environments because of differences in soil types and environmental conditions. In this study we investigated soil C accumulation patterns under bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) fairways over time. Soil samples were collected from 61 golf courses of different ages. At each course, soil samples were collected from four to six fairways to a depth of 15.24 cm. Carbon concentrations were determined by the dry combustion method using an elemental analyzer or by the loss-on-ignition method. The assembled chronosequence indicated that C accumulated in a hyperbolic pattern over a 100 year period, with significant stabilization after about 30 years. The average rate of soil C accumulation over the first 30 years was 0.95 Mg ha-1 yr-1 in the small-particle fraction, or 1.3 Mg ha-1 yr-1 if larger orgnic matter particles were included. The results show that substantial amounts of C can be sequestered in soils in the southeastern transition zone and the rates appear similar to those of other geographic areas.