Long-Term Carbon Sequestration Potential from Bermudagrass Fairways in Lubbock, TX.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels have been rising dramatically resulting in global climate change.  Carbon dioxide and other gas emissions create a greenhouse effect that traps heat in the atmosphere increasing air temperatures and altering climatic conditions throughout the world.  As turfgrasses fix CO₂ through photosynthesis, carbon is stored in soils in the form of organic matter.  Previous studies have documented the carbon sequestration potential of cool-season turfgrasses grown on golf course fairways, but limited research has been conducted on the carbon sequestration potential of warm-season grasses.  The objective of this study was to determine baseline carbon sequestration potential of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) fairways by evaluating soil organic carbon and nitrogen, soil organic matter, inorganic nitrogen, and soil physical and chemical properties from golf courses of various ages in Lubbock, TX.  To achieve our proposed goals, soil samples will be collected (5 cm diameter by 15 cm depth) from bermudagrass fairways at six different golf courses ranging in age from 12 to 99 years. Soil samples will be divided into two depths, 0 to 7.5 and 7.5 to 15 cm, air dried, and sieved to pass a 2 mm mesh screen. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic carbon and nitrogen, organic matter (OM) and inorganic nitrogen was obtained using laboratory techniques for each sample.  Soil pH and EC from these locations were typical for soils in this region with soil pH’s between 7.1 and 8.5 and EC between 683 and 967 µS/cm.  Soil OM was greatest in the upper 7.5 cm at each golf course.  Carbon sequestration from these golf course fairways were highest in the surface soil samples prior to reaching equilibrium.  The fact that many of these golf courses were constructed over land that was cultivated consistently for agriculture production, provided greater soil carbon sequestration potential compared to construction on non-destructive lands.  To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine carbon sequestration potential from warm-season grass golf course fairways.  These results can be used in future evaluations to further discover how turfgrass management practices could benefit the environment by offsetting carbon emissions.  Further research will incorporate carbon emissions associated with common management practices of golf courses in this region to determine the carbon budget of golf courses managing bermudagrass fairways in Lubbock, TX.