RESTORING THE CLIMATE THROUGH CAPTURE
AND STORAGE OF SOIL CARBON THROUGH
HOLISTIC PLANNED GRAZING
RESTORING THE CLIMATE THROUGH
CAPTURE AND STORAGE OF SOIL CARBON
USING HOLISTIC
GRAZING
RESTORING PLANNED
THE CLIMATE B
Y GROWING SOIL CARBON THROUGH HOLISTIC PLANNED GRAZING1
Abstract
Abstract
The quantity of carbon contained in soils is directly related to the diversity and health of
soil life.
All organic
carbon
in soils
is extracted
from the
bylife. All
The quantity
of carbon
contained
in sequestered
soils is directly
related
to the diversity
andatmosphere
health of soil
photosynthesis
and
converted
to
complex
molecules
by
bacteria
and
fungi
in
synergy
with
organic carbon sequestered in soils is extracted from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and converted
insects
and animals.
An effective,
profitable,
culturally
relevant
method
for increasing
to complex
molecules
by bacteria
and fungi
in synergyand
with
insects and
animals.
An effective,
profitable,
soil
organic
carbon
is
by
restoring
grasslands
worldwide
to
their
optimal
health.
To
and culturally relevant method for increasing soil organic carbon is to restore grasslands worldwide to
accomplish
the scale and
pace
need,
and one of its and
their optimal
health.this
To at
accomplish
this at
thethat
scalewe
and
paceHolistic
that weManagement™
need, Holistic Management™
associated
processes,
Holistic
Planned
Grazing™
our climate
one of its
associated
processes,
Holistic
Planned
Grazing™offers
offersus
usaatangible
tangibleway
way to
to restore
restore the
climate
by
properly
managing
livestock
to
build
soil
life.
Since
the
1970s
Holistic
by properly managing livestock to build soil life. Since the 1970s Holistic Management’s effectiveness
Management’s effectiveness has been well documented on millions of hectares on four
has been well documented on millions of hectares on four continents. By restoring grasslands through
continents. By restoring grasslands through Holistic Planned Grazing we have the
Holistic Planned Grazing we have the potential to remove the excess atmospheric carbon that has been
potential to remove excess atmospheric carbon resulting from both anthropogenic soil
the result
ofover
boththe
anthropogenic
loss
over
the past 10,000
years andgas
industrial-era
greenhouse gas
loss
past 10,000 soil
years
and
industrial-era
greenhouse
emissions. This
emissions.
This
sequestration
potential,
when
applied
to
up
to
5
billion
hectares
of
degraded
grassland
sequestration potential, when applied to up to 5 billion hectares of degraded grassland
soils, could
or more
of excess of
atmospheric
carbon tocarbon
the terrestrial
sink annually
soils,return
could10return
10 gigatons
or more gigatons
excess atmospheric
to the terrestrial
sink thereby
loweringannually
greenhouse
gas concentrations
to pre-industrial
levels in atomatter
of decades.
This
restoring
thereby
lowering greenhouse
gas concentrations
pre-industrial
levels
inwhile
a
matter
of decades.
This while
agriculture
productivity,
providing jobs
for
agriculture
productivity,
providing
jobsrestoring
for thousands
of people
in rural communities,
supplying
high
thousands
peopleand
in rural
communities,
high
quality
protein for millions, and
quality protein
for of
millions,
enhancing
wildlife supplying
habitat and
water
resources.
enhancing wildlife habitat and water resources.
Holistic Planned
Grazing
in practice:
Northern
Plains,
United States.
Holistic
Planned
Grazing in
practice Great
– Northern
Great
Photo by David Nicola.
Plains, United States. Photo by David Nicola
1
Adapted from a work in progress authored by Adam D. Sacks, Jim Laurie, Seth Itzkan, Karl Thidemann
_________________________________
2
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
3
Introduction
The future challenges to humankind are considerable, with climate change at the top of the list. It is
projected that food production, which is entirely dependent on a benign climate, will have to increase by
50% by 2050 to keep pace with global population needs (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005).
Our ability to produce more food has increased dramatically in the latter
half of the past century because of technological innovation driven by
cheap fossil fuels (Janzen, 2011). However, this increased productivity has
resulted in substantial damage to the ecosystem upon which we, and all life
forms, depend. Specifically, the impacts of large urban populations and the
intensive agriculture that they depend on have severely impacted the supply
of fresh water (Carpenter & Biggs, 2010). In the future we will have to use
water resources much more carefully and efficiently while managing the
major portions of our water catchments more effectively.
It has become increasingly clear that harmful changes in the earth's climate
have been accelerating considerably faster than the scientific community
anticipated. While there are good reasons that scientific assessments
High intensity agriculture is heavily
tend to be conservative (Brysse, Oreskes, O’Reilly, & Oppenheimer, 2013),
dependent on fossil fuel energy
imports and irrigation, as shown
astonishment about the extent and rapidity of change are becoming the
on this former grassland in Oregon,
norm in global warming
United States.
circles (Carey, 2012;
Efforts to limit emissions from fossil-fuel
National Wildlife
combustion alone are incapable of
Federation, 2013; National Climate Assessment and
stabilizing levels of carbon dioxide in
Development Advisory Committee, 2013; Lyall, 2013).
The level of urgency is thus chronically understated,
the atmosphere.
and our response continues to be inadequate.
In theory, balancing the sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide can address, at least in part,
human-induced climate change. However, natural sinks are decreasing because agricultural land,
grasslands, coral reefs, and rain forests are being degraded at an increasing rate. To balance carbon dioxide
flows it is believed to be necessary both to restore and protect these environments in addition to making
drastic cuts in fossil-fuel use (Goreau, 1992). Efforts to limit emissions from fossil-fuel combustion alone
are incapable of stabilizing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Twenty-five years ago it seemed straightforward that reducing emissions would lower the amount of carbon
in the atmosphere and substituting non-carbon energy sources would be both technologically feasible and
culturally acceptable. Accordingly, almost all efforts to combat global warming have only been directed
at controlling sources, and primarily only fossil fuel sources at that, ignoring the extensive quantities of
carbon emitted from
DECADE
TOTAL INCREASE
ANNUAL RATE OF INCREASE
degraded soils. As a
2003–2012
20.74 ppm
2.07 ppm/year
result the emissions
1993–2002
16.73 ppm
1.67 ppm/year
reductions strategy has,
1983–1992
15.24 ppm
1.52 ppm/year
to date, been a decisive
1973–1982
13.68 ppm
1.37 ppm/year
failure. Despite the fact
that after almost three
decades of attempts on
Figure 1 Atmospheric CO2 is accelerating upward from decade to decade. For the past
ten years, the average annual rate of increase is 2.07 parts per million (ppm). This rate of
the part of governments,
increase is more than double the increase in the 1960s, and 100x that of natural glaciation
non-governmental
cycles. Data courtesy of co2now.org and retrieved at http://co2now.org/current-co2/co2organizations, the
trend/
4
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
Desertification
Desertification
plays a critical
plays
rolea in
critical
manyrole
of the
in many
world’s
of most
the world’s
pressing
most
problems:
pressing problems:
•
Climate •Change.
Climate
Dry,
Change.
infertile,Dry,
bare
infertile,
soil is unable
bare soil
to isstore
unable
carbon,
to store
releasing
carbon,
it releasing it
into the atmosphere.
into the atmosphere.
•
Water Issues.
• Water
Desertification
Issues. Desertification
creates large
creates
areas large
of Since
exposed
areas
soil
which
causes
soil which
it of
is exposed
well
known
thatcauses
terrestrial
total atmospheric carbon burden has increased by
water to evaporate
water toorevaporate
runoff instead
or runoff
of soaking
insteadinto
of soaking
the soil.into
Thisthe
increases
soil. Thisthe
increases the
environments are important global
approximately 42 parts per million (ppm) to our
frequency
and
frequency
severityand
of floods
severity
and
ofdroughts
floods and
even
droughts
with noeven
rainfall
withchange
no rainfall
in achange in a
current level of 393 ppm (NOAA, 2013), and the rate of
carbon
sinks
and
the
size of this sink
specific region.
specific region.
scientific community, and citizens worldwide, the
increase is accelerating (International Energy Agency,
depends on the grasslands of
2012).
See
figure
1.
Famine/Food
• Famine/Food
Insecurity. Insecurity.
Desertification
Desertification
is hurting the
is grasslands’
hurting the grasslands’
capacity to capacity to
the world,
•
the most feasible and cost-effective
feed billionsfeed
of humans,
billions of
resulting
humans,
in famine
resulting
and
in famine
decreased
and food
decreased
safety.food safety.
Since it has become increasingly apparent that emissions approach to carbon sequestration is in
reductions
will
not takeDesertification
place
a reasonable
timeframe,
restoring
theentire
massive
in degraded
• Poverty.
• Desertification
Poverty.
is ainmajor
driver
is a major
of
poverty
driverfor
of entire
poverty
regions,
for
hurting
regions,
thesink
hurting
the
there
have
been
alternative
proposals
for
reducing
economic stability
economic
of rural
stability
pastoralist
of ruralcommunities
pastoralist communities
and
causing
and
imbalanced
causing
imbalanced
grassland soils.
the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases
consumption
consumption
and demandand
patterns
demand
around
patterns
the world.
around the world.
•
by actively removing them from the atmosphere. The
advantages
such undertakings
include
the desertification
opportunity
to bypass
the impossibly
slow
international
Social
Disruption.
• of
Social
Disruption.
Because desertification
Because
is connected
isto
connected
drought,
poverty
to drought,
and
poverty and
agreement
processes
and
the
possibility
of
succeeding
in
reversing
global
warming
in
spite
of persistent
hunger, it also
hunger,
contributes
it also to
contributes
increasedtosocial
increased
violence,
social
abuse
violence,
of women
abuseand
of women
and
ongoing
emissions.
Unfortunately,
most
of
these
proposals
rely
on
high-tech
geo-engineering
schemes,
children, cultural
children,
genocide
cultural
and
genocide
emigration
and to
emigration
cities andtoother
citiescountries.
and other countries.
which are largely untested for effectiveness, may be fraught with unintended consequences, and are
GLOBAL
EXTENT
GLOBAL
OFEXTENT
GRASSLANDS
GRASSLANDS
potentially very expensive
in both
direct economic
andOF
indirect
environmental and social costs.
It is well known that
terrestrial environments are
important global carbon
sinks (Prentice, et al.,
2001; Schimel, et al., 2001)
and the size of this sink
Seasonally Dry Grasslands of the World
dependsofon
grasslands
Seasonally Dry Grasslands
thethe
World
Data and map courtesy of WRI
Data and map
courtesy
of
WRI
of the world (Pacala et
al., 2001) therefore, the
ly, grasslands comprise 40% of the global land surface area, excluding Greenland
Globally, grasslands comprise 40% of the most
global feasible
land surface
andarea,
cost-excluding Greenland
ntarctica and have been degrading primarily through cultivation and improperly
and Antarctica and have been degrading primarily through cultivation and improperly
ed livestock practices (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005).
effective approach to
Seasonally Dry Grasslands managed
of the World
livestock practices (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005).
carbon sequestration is in
Data and Map courtesy of WRI
restoring the massive sink
in degraded grassland soils.
Open shrublands
Non-woody grasslands
Closed shrublands
Woody savannas
Seasonally
Seasonally
Dry Dry
Grasslands
Grasslands
of the
of World
the World
Savannas
DataData
and and
mapmap
courtesy
courtesy
of WRI
of WRI
Tundra
Globally,
Globally,
grasslands
grasslands
comprise
comprise
40%40%
of the
of the
global
global
landland
surface
surface
area,
area,
excluding
excluding
Greenland
Greenland
Non-grassland
area
andand
Antarctica
Antarctica
andand
havehave
been
been
degrading
degrading
primarily
primarily
through
through
cultivation
cultivation
andand
improperly
improperly
Source: WorldSource:
Resources
World
Institute
Resources
- livestock
PAGE,
Institute
2000
- (Millennium
PAGE,
2000Ecosystem
managed
managed
livestock
practices
practices
(Millennium
Ecosystem
Assessment,
Assessment,
2005).
2005).
Grasslands are home to 1 billion people with pastoral traditions (from the Masai to the herder, to the gaucho to the cowboy).
asslands are
home
to do
1 billion
with pastoral
(from the Masai
the gaucho totheir management of this complexity affects all of humanity.
Not
only
theirpeople
traditions
affecttraditions
the management
oftograsslands,
Grasslands
are home to 1 billion people with pastoral traditions (from the Masai to the gaucho to
cowboy to the herder). Not only do their traditions affect the management of grasslands,
their
the
cowboy
to the herder). Not only do their traditions affect the management of grasslands, their
management of this complexity affects all of humanity.
management of this complexity affects all of humanity.
_________________________________
5
_________________________________
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory
institute 2013
5
5
involve large amounts of
capital and expensive
technology involving
At least one billion people depend
oninputs
grasslands
for their livelihoods mostly through
energy
from
Globally, for
grasslands
comprise
40%
of&the
global land2002).
surfaceTherefore,
area, excluding
livestock production
food and
fiber (Ragab
Prudhomme,
there Greenland and Antarctica
unsustainable
sources,
can
and haveand
been
degrading
primarily with
through
improperlyapart
managed livestock practices
are huge economic
social
costs associated
the cultivation
degradationand
of grasslands
be culturally
inappropriate,
(Millennium
Ecosystem
Assessment,
2005).
from the diminished role they are able to play in sequestering carbon.
and have not been
At least one billion people depend on grasslands for
successful in creating large- Although
many attempts
their livelihoods
mostly through livestock production
scale, sustained
have
been
made
adopt& Prudhomme, 2002).
for food and fiberto
(Ragab
improvements to the
e and maintain the health
technical
Therefore,solutions
there aretohuge economic and social costs
assland.
landscape.
reverse degradation, most
associated with the degradation of grasslands apart
ances from around the world attest to the fact that
by properly managing livestock to benefit
odgson & Illius, 1996; Savory and Butterfield, 1999;
oration and sustainable use worldwide requires lowment procedures that are adaptive and use a suitable
m function. This is being accomplished in many
Properly managed livestock used to restore and maintain
the health of this Zimbabwean grassland.
Properly managed livestock used to restore and maintain the health
of this Zimbabwean grassland.
involve
large amounts of
from the diminished role they are able to play in
capital and expensive
sequestering carbon.
technology involving
energy
inputs
from
Although
many
attempts have been made to adopt
unsustainable
sources,
can degradation, most
technical solutions to reverse
be
culturally
inappropriate,
involve
large amounts
of capital and expensive
and
have
not
been
technology involving energy inputs from unsustainable
successful
in be
creating
largesources, can
culturally
inappropriate, and have
scale,
sustained
not been successful in creating large-scale, sustained
to the
the landscape.
improvements to
landscape.
The good news is that numerous instances from around
the world
thethat
fact that degraded grasslands can
The good news is that numerous instances from around the world
attest attest
to theto
fact
be restored
by properly managing livestock to benefit
degraded grasslands can be restored by properly managing livestock
to benefit
biodiversity
and ecosystem
biodiversity and ecosystem health (Hodgson & Illius, 1996; Savory and Butterfield,
1999; health (Hodgson & Illius,
1996;
Savory and
Butterfield,
Tainton et al., 1999). To achieve restoration and sustainable use
worldwide
requires
low- 1999; Tainton et al., 1999).
To
achieve
restoration
and
input technology, as well as management procedures that are adaptive and use a suitablesustainable use worldwide
low-input
technology, as well as management
flexible framework to restore ecosystem function. This is beingrequires
accomplished
in many
procedures that are adaptable and use a suitable
locations around the world by
flexible framework to restore ecosystem function. This
changing the way livestock
is being accomplished in many locations around the
managers make decisions to
als
to
grasslands
through
Holistic
world by changing the way livestock managers make
achieve ecological restoration and
n soils willtheir
remove
carbonand
from the
decisions to achieve ecological restoration and enhance
enhance
livelihoods
arbon to soil organic matter.
qualityAnofadaptive
life.
their livelihoods and quality of life.
and flexible framework to restore
ecosystem function in Colorado, United States
adaptive and
flexible framework to restore
A direct An
consequence
of restoring
A direct
ecosystem
function
USA consequence of restoring ecological function to these ecosystems
ecological function to these in Colorado,
is
that carbon sequestration is significantly enhanced. By renewing the
ecosystems is that carbon
relationship of grazing animals to grasslands, long-term storage of carbon
sequestration is significantly
_______________________
in soils will remove carbon from the atmosphere and add vast quantities of
enhanced. By renewing the
carbon to soil organic matter (Judy, 2011; Lovell 2011; Itzkan, 2012).
6 of grazing animals to
relationship
grasslands, long-term storage of
Unfortunately, at this point in time most climate advocates are resistant—
carbon in soils will remove carbon
often fiercely so—to the
from the atmosphere and add vast
use of grazing animals,
An adaptive and flexible framework to restore
quantities of carbon to soil organic
particularly
livestock, to By renewing the relationship of grazing
ecosystem function in Colorado,
USA
matter (Judy, 2011; Lovell 2011;
sequester carbon in soils.
animals
to grasslands through Holistic
Itzkan, 2012).
There are several reasons
for this: misunder_________________________________
Photo
by Matilda
Essig
Photo
by Matilda
Essig
standing
of the capacity
6
of soils to sequester
carbon; ignorance of the
Planned Grazing, long-term storage of
carbon in soils will remove carbon from
the atmosphere and add vast quantities
of carbon to soil organic matter.
ituation and shed light on a process of
developed
the natural world
6 in RESTORING
THE over
CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
ended consequences, and has myriad
extent of carbon emissions from soil loss through human activity over millennia (Ruddiman, 2003); the
lack of understanding of the extent and potential of grasslands to be a carbon sink; current perception
about the damage inflicted by livestock (for example, Steinfeld, et al., 2006); and the almost exclusive
attention to emissions reductions.
The purpose of this white paper is to challenge the exclusive focus on emissions reductions and shed
light on a process of atmospheric carbon capture and storage that has developed in the natural world
over millions of years, has minimal possibility for unintended consequences, and has myriad benefits
for the health of lands worldwide as well as their dependent life forms which include humans.
The Life of Grasslands Soils
To address why attention has not been adequately placed on the importance of soils and the role that
grazing animals can play in building healthy soils, a brief discussion of how soils work is helpful.
In healthy soils carbon is stored in stable complex biomolecules, such as lignin and glomalin, which
remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil for hundreds or even thousands of years.
When grazing animals eat perennial
root systems
die back
hundredsgrasses,
or eventhe
thousands
of years.
In and
become feed for communities
of bacteria
2005), leaving
particular,
the(Baskin,
macromolecules
ligninporous
and
passages and carbon-rich biomolecules
which
are
aggregated
into
a
sticky
glomalin are stable and resistant to bacterial
substance called humus (Pucheta,
Cabido,
Diaz,
2004).for
decay, Bonamici,
thereby capable
ofand
storing
carbon
The following season the root
systemsor
regrow
along with the plants above
centuries
longer.
ground, and the process will repeat itself, increasing soil porosity, water
and, carbon content annually. Lignin, glomalin, and protein fragments
from root dieback, along with humus created by bacterial action comprise
process of
which is part of the liquid carbon pathway
undreds or eventhe
thousands
of humification,
years. In
(Jones, 2009a).lignin
Humus
is critically important in water retention, balancing
articular, the macromolecules
and
minerals,
and
adjusting
pH and is why healthy soils are dark in color (like
omalin are stable and resistant to bacterial
elemental
carboncarbon
and is shown
in the photo to the right), relatively low in
ecay, thereby capable
of storing
for
density,
and
clump,
not
crumble,
when handled.
enturies or longer.
Photo
Christine
Jonesshowing
showingthe
the da
Photo
byby
Christine
Jones
dark
colored
carbon
sequestered
colored
carbon
sequestered
around the ro
around the roots
of perennial
grasses.
of perennial
grasses.
Soil organic carbon, which constitutes approximately 60% of soil
When grazing
animals
organic matter, has beneficial effects on the chemical,
physical,
and eat perennial
the increases
root systems die back and
biological functions of soil quality (Bardgett,grasses,
2005), and
become
feed
for communities of bact
water-holding capacity and contributes to soil structural stability
(Baskin, 2005),
leaving porous passag
(Weber, 2011). Soil organic matter increases adsorption
of nutrients,
and
complex
carbon
cations,
and
trace elements
thatthe
aredark
of importance to plant growth;molecules which
Photo by
Christine
Jones showing
into
a sticky substance
colored carbon
sequestered
around
roots
prevents
nutrient
leaching;
andthe
is integral
toare
theaggregated
organic acids
that
of perennial grasses.
called humus (Pucheta, Bonamici,
Left: Initially in this neighboring, paired site comparison in Australia, parent mateCabido, and Diaz, 2004). The follow
rial, slope, aspect, rainfall, and farming enterprises, as well as soil carbon in both
the isroot
regrow
along
were originally
same.eat
Onperennial
the left, the 0–50cmseason
soil profile
fromsystems
a pasture
in
When
grazing the
animals
which groundcover has been actively managedwith
(no-tilled
cropped
and
holistically
the plants aboveground, and the
grasses,
the root systems die back and
grazed) to enhance photosynthetic capacity. On the right, the 0–50cm soil profile
process
increasing
so
become
for communities
of bacteria
Initially
in this
neighboring,
paired
site comparison
is from
afeed
conventionally
managed
neighboring paddockwill
(10repeat
meters itself,
through
the
porosity
water and
carbon conte
fence) that
hasmaterial,
been set-stocked
and
has a long
history ofand
phosphate
applicain Australia,
parent
slope,
aspect,
rainfall,
(Baskin,
2005),
leaving
porous
passages
tion.
While
the
carbon
levels
in
the
0–10cm
increment
are
very
similar
(this
surface
andand
farming
enterprises
as
well
as
soil
carbon
in
annually.
Lignin,
glomalin,
and prote
complex carbon molecules which
carbon
results
from
the decomposition
ofleft,
organic matter (leaves, roots, manure,
both
paddocks
were
originally
the
same.
On
the
fragments from root dieback, along w
are
aggregated
into a sticky
substance carbon,
etc.) forming
short-chain
the carbon below 30cm in the
the 0-50cm-soil
profile
is from aunstable
paddock "labile"
in which
humus
created
by bacterial
action
called
humus
(Pucheta,
Bonamici,
left
hand
profile
has
been
sequestered
via
the
liquid
carbon
pathway
and rapidly
groundcover has been actively managed (no-tilled
comprise the process of humification
incorporated
into the
humic
(non-labile)
soil fraction.
Cabido,
and Diaz,
2004).
following
cropped
and holistically
grazed)
toThe
enhance
Photo and
Research:
which is part of the liquid carbon
photosynthetic
OnChristine
theregrow
right Jones.
thealong
0-50cm
season
thecapacity.
root
systems
Property:
'Winona',
operatedmanaged
by Colin and Nick Seis.
soil profile
is from
a conventionally
with the plants aboveground, and the
neighboring paddock (10 meters through the fence)
RESTORING
THE
CLIMATE
repeat and
itself,
increasing
soil
has beenwill
set-stocked
has
a long
history
of ©
Initially in this neighboring, paired site comparison thatprocess
porosity
and water
andthecarbon
application.
While
carbon content
levels in
n Australia, parent material, slope, aspect, rainfall, phosphate
pathway (Jones, 2009a). Humus is
criticallyinstitute
important 2013
in water retention
7
savory
balancing minerals, and adjusting pH
soil is a major factor in overall soil health, plant production, the health of water
catchments as well as being a sink for atmospheric carbon to offset climate change
(Charman and Murphy, 2000; Lal, 2008).
make minerals available to plants. Organic matter also buffers soil
from strong changes in soil pH (acidity). Consequently, it is widely
ontributes to soil structural stability (Weber,
accepted that the carbon content of soil is a major factor in overall
to soil structural
(Weber,
ndofcontributes
nutrients, cations,
and tracestability
elements
that soil health, plant production, and the health of water catchments as
of nutrients,
cations,
traceto
elements
that
sion
nutrient
leaching,
and isand
integral
the
well as being a sink for atmospheric carbon to offset climate change
ents
nutrient
leaching,
and
is
integral
to
the
to plants. Organic matter also buffers soil from (Charman and Murphy, 2000; Lal, 2008).
ble
to plants.
Organic
matter
also buffers
soiloffrom
is widely
accepted
that
the carbon
content
y,
it
is
widely
accepted
that
the
carbon
content
ofThe extremely complex and symbiotic functions of these life forms
plant production, the health of water
h,
plant carbon
production,
the climate
health ofchange
water
spheric
to offset
cannot be replaced with synthetic chemistry, which, on the contrary,
mospheric carbon to offset climate change
eventually lead to massive soil erosion and wholesale loss of stored
8).
carbon to the atmosphere. Conventional agriculture that uses
synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, as well as improperly managed
On Gabe Brown’s 4,000-acre farm in North Dakota through
no-tilldestroy
croppingessential
combinedsoil
withbiota and lead to widespread soil
livestock
Holistic Planned Grazing the following results have beendegradation
documented: (Neely and Fynn, 2011). It is well known that such
• 265% increase in organic matter in 11soils
yearsbecome "addicted" to artificial inputs, requiring larger and
• 12-fold increase in water infiltration: ½”/hour to 6”/hour
larger "fixes" over time while yielding diminishing outputs (Khan,
• 13.6” of rain in 22 hours with zero erosion
Mulvaney, Ellsworth & Boast, 2007).
• 117-bushel corn yield compared to 70-bushel county average in addition to the
beef produced.
In terms of livestock production, the modern industrial approach to
animal husbandry has so distorted society’s idea of what it means to
The extremely complex and symbiotic functionsIn
ofterms
these
lifeand
forms
cannot
beanimals
replaced
raise
cattle
other
grazing
that
manytodo
nothusbandry
understand
of livestock
production,
the modern
industrial
approach
animal
with synthetic chemistry, which, on the contrary,has
eventually
lead
to
massive
soil
erosion
so
distorted
society’s
idea
of
what
it
means
to
raise
cattle
and
other
grazers
that many
how essential they are in creating a healthy grassland when
do not understand
how essentialagriculture
they are in creating
a healthy grassland when properly
and
wholesale
loss
of
stored
carbon
to
the
atmosphere.
Conventional
that
On Gabe Brown's 4,000-acre farm in North
properly managed. For when grazers are constantly on the move
managed. For when grazers are constantly on the move in response to predators, the
uses
synthetic
fertilizers
and
Dakota,
through
no-till cropping
combined
in response
todiet,
predators,
thetheir
search
for athey
varied
diet,
andand
avoiding
search
for a varied
and avoiding
own wastes,
aerate,
fertilize,
restore
ota through no-till cropping combined with
with Holisticas
Planned
Grazing, the following
pesticides,
well as
the
soilsown
(Frank,
McNaughton,
Tracy,
1998).
This is the
opposite
of what
occurs
under
Dakota
through
no-till
cropping
combined
with
ve
been
documented:
their
wastes,
they
aerate,
fertilize,
and
restore
the
soils
(Frank,
results have been documented:
mainstream grassland management where cattle, protected from predators and permitted
managed
have
rimproperly
in 11been
yearsdocumented:
McNaughton,
Tracy,
Thisregard
is theforopposite
of of
what
occurs under
to
graze randomly over
wide1998).
areas without
the condition
the grasses,
• 278%
in
organic soil
matter
livestock
destroy
essential
atter
in
11increase
years
ation:
½”/hour
to 6”/hour
overgraze,
compact
and destroymanagement
soils.
mainstream
grassland
where
cattle,
protected
from
• erosion
16-fold
increase
in water infiltration:
iltration:
½”/hour
6”/hour
biota
and
lead toto widespread
ero
predators
and
permitted
toproper
grazerelationship
randomly
over wide
areas
without
1/2"/hour to 8"/hour
Holistic
Planned
Grazing
renews the
of grazing
animals
to grasslands
erosioncounty(Neely
dth
tozero
70-bushel
averagewith
in addition
to the
soil
degradation
• 13.6"
of rain in 22 hours and
zero
by
insuring
that
thecondition
animals are inof
thethe
rightgrasses,
place, at the
right time, with
the rightand
regard
for
the
overgraze,
compact
ared
to 70-bushel
Fynn,
2011). Itcounty
is wellaverage
knownin addition to the
behavior, for the right reasons. Through each cycle every component of this complex
erosion
destroy soils.
system nourishes all the others, resulting in rich soils which, storing vast quantities of
• 127-bushel
yield compared to
that
such soilscorn
become
water and carbon, remain moist even during periods of drought, raise the water table to
just under 100-bushel county average
ctions
of
these
life
forms
cannot
be
replaced
Holistic
Grazing
renews
the proper
ofdiverse
grazing
"addicted"
to
artificial
inputs,
restore
and Planned
maintain perennial
streams
and ponds,
and createrelationship
habitats for richly
in addition to the beef produced.
unctions
of
these
life
forms
cannot
be
replaced
microbial,
plant,
insect,
and
animal
life.
ntrary,
eventually
lead
to
massive
soil
erosion
requiring larger and larger
animals to grasslands by insuring that the animals are in the right
On pastures
that
were
seeded
with perennial
contrary,
eventually
lead
toagriculture
massive
soilthat
erosion place, at the right time, with the right behavior, for the right reasons.
atmosphere.
Conventional
"fixes"
over
time
while
grasses
organic matter
went from under 2%
he
atmosphere.
Conventional
yielding
diminishing
outputs agriculture that
to 7.3% with
grazing alone.
(Khan, Mulvaney, Ellsworth
& Boast, 2007).
A typical, modern way to raise beef in feedlots.
_________________________________
9
A typical, modern way to raise beef in
ypical,feedlots.
modern way to raise beef in feedlots.
A
typical,
modern way to raise beef in feedlots.
_________________
____________________
9
9
8
OnOn
the
right, a mixed herd of goats and cattle managed to mimic the
the right a mixed herd of goats and cattle managed to mimic the wildebeest on the left.
wildebeest and zebra on the left.
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
Through each cycle every component of this complex system nourishes all the others, resulting in rich
soils which, storing vast quantities of water and carbon, remain moist even during periods of drought,
raise the water table to restore and maintain perennial streams and ponds, and create habitats for richly
diverse microbial, plant, insect, and animal life.
Holistic Planned Grazing: Making Grassla
Holistic Planned Grazing: Making Grasslands Whole Again
Although many grasslands have been badly degrad
reverse
degradation.
Well-managed
grasslands hav
Although many grasslands have been badly degraded, it is possible to
properly
manage livestock
to
as providers
of livelihoods,
water
reverse this trend. Well-managed grasslands have a very important role
to play globally
as providers
of catchments, and
plants
and
animals
(Milchunas
& Lauenroth,
1993
livelihoods, water catchments, and biodiverse habitat for a multitude of plants and animals (Milchunas
&
they hold
a large
reserve
of soil carbon w
Lauenroth, 1993; Savory and Butterfield, 1999). In addition, they holdaddition,
a large reserve
of soil
carbon
which,
degradation,
contributes
to
carbon
when released under degradation, contributes to carbon dioxide emissions. However, under restorative dioxide emissio
management
can enhance soil
management degraded grassland can enhance soil carbon sequestration
(Derner etdegraded
al., 2006;grassland
Allard et al.,
2006;
Allard
et
al.,
2007;
Soussana
et al., 2010; Te
2007; Soussana et al., 2010; Teague et al., 2011).
An innovative biologist in Zimbabwe named Allan Savory
pioneered Holistic Management and its planning process, Holistic
Planned Grazing. Thanks to Savory and others, for decades we
have been learning how to restore grasslands by mimicking
nature. In fact, the synergistic nature of eco-restoration is a
prominent theme throughout Holistic Management. The process
involves re-establishing the evolutionary relationships between
grazing animals and their habitats. Successful conservationminded grassland managers practicing Holistic Management
enhance the health of the ecosystem upon which we depend, as
well as improve their profitability and quality of life. This is done
while simultaneously providing ecosystem services desired by
society through building soil, water, and plant resources (Walters,
1986; Holling & Meffe, 1996; Stinner et al., 1997; Reed et al., 1999;
Savory and Butterfield, 1999; Barnes et al., 2008; Teague et al., 2009).
To accomplish this, Holistic Management practitioners combine
scientific principles and local knowledge to manage animals to
influence the following four ecosystem processes:
Allan Savory,
Founder
of Holistic
Management
Allan Savory,
Founder
of Holistic
Management
enhance the health of the ecosystem upon which w
profitability and quality of life. This is done while
1. Efficient sequestration of solar energy by plants, otherwise knownservices desired by society through building soil, w
1986; Holling & Meffe, 1996; Stinner et al., 1997;
as energy flow;
Butterfield, 1999; Barnes et al., 2008; Teague et a
2. Interception and retention of precipitation in the soil, thereby
creating an effective water cycle;
To accomplish this, Holistic Management practiti
combine scientific principles and local knowledge
3. Optimal cycling of nutrients through an effective mineral cycle; and
adaptively manage animals to influence the follow
4. Promotion of high ecosystem biodiversity with more complex
four ecosystem processes:
mixtures and combinations of desirable plant species, otherwise
known as community dynamics.
1. Efficient sequestration of solar energy by pl
otherManagement,
wise known asbeginning
energy flow;
A typical illustration of the essential process of soil restoration through Holistic
with mostly bare, dry ground and using any of a wide variety of animals as grazers, from cattle to goats to
2. Interception and retention of precipitation i
sheep to bison is as follows:
soil, thereby creating an effective water cycl
3. Optimal cycling of nutrients through an effe
________________________
9
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute
2013
11
First and foremost a Holistic Grazing Plan is created in order to properly manage
livestock. This plan anticipates when and how long the animals will be in any given area.
4. Promotion of high ecosystem biodiversity with more complex mixtures and
combinations of desirable plant species, otherwise known as community dynamics.
A typical illustration of the essential process of soil restoration through Holistic
Management, beginning with mostly bare, dry ground and using any of a wide variety of
animals as grazers, from cattle to goats to sheep to bison is as follows:
First and foremost a Holistic Grazing Plan is created in order to properly manage
livestock. This plan anticipates when and how long the animals will be in any given area.
Holistic Grazing Plan and Control Chart
Holistic
Grazing Plan & Control Chart
When
implementing
the Holistic
First and foremost, a Holistic Grazing Plan is created in order
to properly
manage livestock.
This plan
anticipates when and how long the animals will be in any given
area.Plan the animals are herded in
Grazing
tight groups, confined to relatively small
Holistic Grazing
& Control
Chart Plan, animals are herded in tight groups, confined to relatively
When implementing
thePlan
Holistic
Grazing
bymore
permanent
fence,
smallimplementing
paddocks (either
bypaddocks
permanent(either
fence, but
likely now
with
When
the Holistic
but
more
likely
now
with
temporary
Grazing
Plan the
animals
are and/or
herded inherding), having intense but brief impact
temporary
electric
fence
tight
groups,
confined
relatively
small
electric
and/or
herding),
(several
hours
to a to
few
days)
on
thefence
land. They
eat the
grasses, having
forbs, and
paddocks (either by permanent fence,
shrubs available—the more
diversebut
the brief
betterimpact
(Provenza,
2007). hours to
intense
(several
but more likely now with temporary
ahaving
few
days)observed
on the land.
They
eat the
electric
fence and/or
herding),
The plants
that are
eaten are
carefully
for signs
of overgrazing.
intense but brief impact (severalgrasses,
hours to forbs, and shrubs available, the
is, land
managers
focus
on adjusting the amount of time in any given
a That
few days)
on the
land. They
eat the
more
diverse the
(Provenza, This
2007).
paddock
based
on
continuous
observation
andbetter
plan modification.
grasses, forbs, and shrubs available, the
feedback
is an (Provenza,
essential element
more
diverseloop
the better
2007). of Holistic Management, that is,
managers plan (and assume that the original plan may be wrong), monitor
The plants that are eaten are carefully
Holistic Grazing and Land Planning
Zimbabwe
The
plants
that
are eaten
During
their
first
impact
oncarefully
the
plan,in
control
(thatare
is,
make adjustments as necessary), replan, and
Holistic Grazing and Land Planning in Zimbabwe
observed
forButterfield,
signs of overgrazing.
That
Holistic Grazing and Land Planning
observed
for soils
signsthe
of overgrazing.
That and
degraded
properly
again
monitor
and
control (Savory
1999).
in Zimbabwe
is, managed
land managers
focus
on adjusting
the managers focus on adjusting the
animals
break
the is, land
amount of time in any given paddock based on continuous
observation
and plan
soil
cap
with
their
hooves,
During
their
first
impact
on
degraded
soils,
the properly
amount of time in any given paddock
based
on continuous
observation
andmanaged
plan animals
modification. This feedback loop is an essential element
of
Holistic
Management,
is, fertilize it with urine and dung rich in
fertilize
it soil
withcap
urine
andtheir that
break
the
with
hooves,
This
feedback
loop
isinan
essential
element of Holistic Management, that is,
managers planmodification.
(and assume that the
original
plan may
berich
wrong),
monitor
the plan,
dung
gut
bacteria,
gut
bacteria,
and
trample
plant matter into the soil surface, including dead
control (that is,managers
make adjustments
as
necessary),
replan,
and
again
monitor
and
plan (and assumeand
thattrample
the original
plancontrol
may be wrong), monitor the plan,
plant matter
grasses
which
when
left
standing
and oxidizing interfere with new growth.
(Savory and Butterfield, 1999).
into
the
soil
surface,
control (that is, make adjustments
as
necessary),
replan,
and again monitor and control
This
disturbance
stimulates
_________________________________
including
dead grasses
which biotic activity by facilitating circulation
(Savory and Butterfield,
ofwhen
oxygen,
carbon and
dioxide and other gases, by providing nutrients, by
left standing
12 1999).
oxidizingpenetration
interfere withofnew
allowing
water (Weber, 2011), and by providing land cover
_________________________________
Thisordisturbance
togrowth.
minimize
eliminate
12 bybare ground. Most important, in fact, is to cover
stimulates
biotic
activity
the ground with dung and trampled grass which holds water in the soil,
facilitating circulation of
thereby
the effectiveness
of the rainfall. Grassland biodiversity
oxygen,raising
carbon dioxide
and
South Africa with very erratic 200mm
flourishes
asby
the
area of bare soil diminishes. Thus ruminants are organs as
other gases,
providing
South Africa
with
very
erratic
rain.been
of rain.
The
land
on200mm
the leftofhas
essential
to
living
grasslands as stomachs and hearts are to mammals.
nd on the left has been holistically managed since the
nutrients, by allowing
holistically managed since the 1970s.
The right is an example of what results with over-rest.
penetration of water (Weber,
The land on the right is an example of
and providing
land
what results with over-rest.
In2011),
response
to the suffering
grassland habitats worldwide (Suttie, Reynolds
minimize or eliminate bare ground. Most important, in fact, is to cover the
& Batello, 2005) conventional wisdom prescribes "rest" for deteriorated
ith dung and trampled grass in order to raise the effectiveness of the rainfall, as
e water10
in the RESTORING
soil. Grassland biodiversity
flourishes
the area ofinstitute
bare soil 2013
THE CLIMATE
© as
savory
s. Ruminants are as essential organs to living grasslands as stomachs and hearts
In response to the suffering
grassland habitats worldwide
(Suttie, Reynolds & Batello, 2005)
conventional
wisdom
prescribes
grasslands—that is, removal of animals
for years
or decades.
However, such
"rest"
for
deteriorated
grasslands,
rest does not work to restore grasslands in semi-arid or arid climates (what
thatcalled
is, removal
animals for which
in Holistic Management terms are
"brittle"ofenvironments),
years
or
decades.
However,
such that
comprise 75% of all grasslands on the planet. Despite clear evidence
rest doesthe
notapplication
work to restore
over-rest is destructive, not restorative,
of over-rest remains
grasslands
in
semi-arid
oral.,
arid2012).
firmly entrenched in the dominant paradigm (Beschta, et
climates (what in Holistic
It should be noted that Holistic Management
Planned Grazing
acknowledges
terms
are called the tool
"brittle" environments,
of rest as essential in brittle environments
when used forwhich
plant recovery.
75% ofand
all animal
grasslands
on bitten
The purpose of such rest is, aftercomprise
proper grazing
impact,
the
planet).
Despite
clear
evidence
plants and their roots are allowed to recover and regrow. The rest period
Dying plant and deteriorating soil
that
over-rest
is destructive,
notsuch as the
may be anywhere from 30 days to
2 years
depending
on factors
It should be noted that
due to over-rest.
restorative,
the application
of other
over- factors
climate, time of year, animal density,
precipitation,
and many
Holistic Planned Grazing
acknowledges the tool of rest
remains
firmly
in of the
(Savory & Butterfield, 1999). Thisrest
period
of rest
is anentrenched
essential part
as essential
brittle
Dying
plant
and
deteriorating
soilindue
to over-rest.
the
dominant
paradigm
(Beschta,
holistic planning process, which always includes the return of intense
environments
when
allowed
et al., 2012).
short-term grazing and animal impact
pressure after the recovery period,
for plant recovery. The
purpose of such rest is, after
proper grazing and animal
impact, bitten plants and
their roots are allowed to
recover and regrow. The rest
period may be anywhere
from 30 days to 2 years
depending on factors such as
the climate, time of year,
By using the tools of grazing and animal impact and paying attention to
animal density, precipitation,
adequate plant recovery, in a period of as fewDuring
as three
years, worst
many
long-drought in history cattle
a multi-year,
recorded
and many other factors
return to a insects
recovered such
sagebrush
steppe pasture in During
Wyoming,
a USA
multi-year,
worst-recorded
(Savory
& Butterfield, 1999).
disabled processes come back to life. For example,
as dung
that had been rested for 570 days to give plants adequate
time
drought
in to
history,
cattle
return
to is
a an
This
period
of rest
beetles return. They retrieve ruminant excreta
and
store ityears
more
18 precipitation
recover.
In “typical”
withthan
adequate
(10 in./yr)
During
a multi-year,
worst recorded drought in
history cattle
recovered
sagebrush-steppe
pasture
essential
part of
the holistic
plants would
tend to in
recover
return180
to adays.
recovered sagebrush
steppe pasture
in Wyoming,
USA
inches beneath the surface creating new soil and storing
carbon
the in about
in Wyoming,
United
States that
had
planning
which
that had been rested for 570 days
to give process,
plants adequate
time to
been
rested
for
570
days
to
give
plants
process (Richardson & Richardson, 2000).always
Worms
andthe
small
mammals
In “typical”
years
with
adequate
precipitation
(10 in./yr)
includes
return
of intense recover.
short-term
grazing
and
animal
impact
pressure
after
adequate
timeto to
recover.
In180
"typical"
plants
would
tend
recover
in
about
days.
such as moles and prairie dogs churn the the
soil,recovery
while deep-rooted
perennial
period, mimicking the way nature cycles animal impact in wild herds. Being
years with adequate precipitation (10.
for
health
inreturn
many
in grazing
eatenand
above
the growth
point is necessary
grasses regrow and create channels for water
gases.
Mycorrhizal
fungi,
always includes
the
ofgrasses,
intense
short-term
an
in./yr.),
plants
would
tendwhich,
to recover
in
evolutionary
terms,
may
be
why
the
most
nutritious
grasses
taste
so
good
to
the
with literally thousands of miles of hyphae in a small patch, transport the recovery
period,
the way nature animals.
cycles anim
about
180 mimicking
days.
Holistic Planned Grazing’s rest period
is not
measured
in apoint
timeisspan
of several
yearsinorma
necessary
for health
above
the growth
nutrients which they have the unique ability
to obtain minerals from soileaten
decades, over which time the deleterious
effects
of
over-rest
become
increasingly
evolutionary terms, may be why the most nutritious grasse
and exchange them for carbohydrates from
photosynthetic
plants.
The take
apparent,
but how long
the plants
to recover.
Holistic
Planned Grazing’s rest period is not measured in
mimicking the way nature cycles animal impact in wild herds. Being eaten
above the growth point is necessary for health in many grasses, which, in
_________________________________
evolutionary terms, may be why the most nutritious grasses taste so good
13
to the animals. Holistic Planned Grazing’s rest period is measured in a time
span based on how long it takes the plants to recover, not several years
or decades, over which time the deleterious effects of over-rest become
increasingly apparent.
fungi synthesize a stable glycoprotein, glomalin that holds 4 to 20 timesdecades,
its
over which time the deleterious effects of over-re
apparent, but how long the plants take to recover.
using thefray,
toolsand
of grazing
animal
weight in water. Microorganisms join theBy
elaborate
in theand
process
impact
and paying
to for
adequate
create complex carbon molecules that store
carbon
deep inattention
the soils
a
plant recovery, in a period of as fewBy
asusing the tools of grazing and animal
long period of time (Jones, 2009a). These are the healthy soils that Holistic
impact
and paying attention to adequate
three years, many long-disabled
Managers throughout the world strive to processes
recreate,come
capturing
carbon,
plant
recovery,
in a period of as few as
back to life. For
three
years,
many
long-disabled
providing food, re-establishing balanced example,
hydrological
and
nutrient
cycles,
insects such as dung beetles
processes come back to life. For
that
retrieve
excreta
and
store
it
more
and imparting beauty to the land (see next page).
than 18 inches beneath the surface example, insects such as dung beetles
that retrieve excreta and store it more
creating soil return (Richardson &
than 18 inches beneath the surface
Richardson, 2000). Worms and small
creating soil return (Richardson &
mammals such as moles and prairieRichardson, 2000). Worms and small
dogs churn the soil, while deep-rooted
mammals such as moles and prairie
perennial grasses regrow and createdogs churn the
Dung
soil because sheep were
soil,beetles
whilebuilding
deep-rooted
beetles
soil because
brought
back tobuilding
this once
over-rested
grasslands
in
channels for water and gases.
perennialDung
grasses
regrow
and
create
Dung beetles
sheep
were
brought
back
to thisbrought
once back to
Patagonia,
Chile.
Mycorrhizal fungi, with literally channels for water and gases.
over-rested
grassland
thousands of miles of hyphae in a small
Mycorrhizal
fungi, with
literally in Patagonia,
thousandsChile.
of miles of hyphae in a small
_________________________________
14
________________________________
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013 14 11
These pictures are of neighboring properties in Mexico, Arizona, and Zimbabwe, respectively. They are taken
Theseon
pictures
are day,
of neighboring
in Mexico,
Arizona, and
Zimbabwe
respectfully
taken
the same
have similarproperties
soils, and the
same precipitation.
The
pictures on
the right are
examples of
properly
managing
through
Holistic
Management
to restore
grasslands.
On
the
we taken
see examples
pictures
are oflivestock
neighboring
properties
in same
Mexico,
Arizona,
and
Zimbabwe
respectfully
theThese
same day
and which
have similar
soils
and the
precipitation.
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pictures
on
theleft
right
improperly
managed
asprecipitation.
well
as exclusion
from
grazing.
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ofofmanaging
neighboring
properties
inthe
Mexico,
Arizona,
and Zimbabwe
respectfully
taken
samepictures
day
andare
which
have similar
soils through
andlivestock
same
The
pictures
on the right
arethe
examples
of properly
livestock
Holistic
Management
to
restore
grasslands.
the
same
whichmanaging
have
similar
soils
and
thelivestock
same
precipitation.
The pictures
on
the right
examples
properly
livestock
through
Holistic
Management
to from
restore
grasslands.
Onare
the
left
weday
seeofand
examples
of
improperly
managed
as well
as exclusion
grazing.
These
pictures
areproperly
ofneighboring
neighboring
properties
in
Mexico,
Arizona,
Zimbabwe
respectfully
taken
These
These
pictures
pictures
are
of
of
neighboring
properties
properties
in
inthrough
Mexico,
Mexico,
Arizona,
Arizona,
and
andand
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
respectfully
respectfully
taken
taken
arethe
examples
of
managing
livestock
Holistic
Management
to restore
grasslands.
On
left weare
see
examples
of improperly
managed
livestock
as
well
as
exclusion
from
grazing.
theOn
same
dayand
and
which
have
similar
soils
and
same
precipitation.
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pictures
on right
the
theday
left
we
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examples
of
improperly
managed
livestock
as well asThe
exclusion
from
the
the
same
same
day
and
which
which
have
have
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soils
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and
and
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thethe
same
same
precipitation.
precipitation.
The
pictures
pictures
on
ongrazing.
the
the
rightright
areexamples
examplesofofofproperly
properly
managing
livestock
through
Holistic
Management
to restore
grasslands.
are
are
examples
properly
managing
managing
livestock
livestock
through
through
Holistic
Holistic
Management
Management
to
torestore
restore
grasslands.
grasslands.
Onthe
theleft
leftwe
wesee
seeexamples
examples
improperly
managed
livestock
as
well
as exclusion
from
grazing.
On
On
the
left
we
see
examples
of
ofof
improperly
improperly
managed
managed
livestock
livestock
as
aswell
well
as
asexclusion
exclusion
from
from
grazing.
grazing.
12
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
occurs naturally in most terrestrial habitats unless reversed by
inappropriate human activities, or prevented by lack of disturbance
grazing]…. If the land management is appropriate, evidence of new
topsoil formation can be seen within 12 months, with quite dramati
effects often observed within three years (Jones, 2002, p.3)
Calculating Soil Carbon
Sequestration PotentIAL
When looking at the potential for soils to sequester carbon the discussion
and research has focused almost solely on soils that already exist. These
are geological in origin and accumulate slowly, over thousands of years.
Very little attention has been placed on biological soil that can be created
quite quickly through Holistic Planned Grazing (Jones, 2002). This has
lead to a dramatic underestimation of soil organic carbon storage capacity
in assessing sequestration potential with respect to global warming.
Furthermore, there is the predominant assumption that soils have a carbon
sequestration capacity that is limited. Both estimates, however, effectively
remove new soil creation from the equation and thereby underestimate
Neighboring, paired site comparison in Australia. The soil on the left is from a paddo
paired
comparison
groundcover hasNeighboring,
been actively managed
(no-tilled site
cropped
and holistically grazed) to e
soil sequestration capacity by a yet unknown but potentially significant
photosynthetic capacity.
On the
right
the soil
a conventionally
managed paddo
in Australia.
The
soilis from
on the
left is from
_________________________________
has been set-stocked and has a long history of phosphate applic
magnitude. Thus soil creation of biological origin, which can be rapidthrough
in the fence)a that
pasture
in which groundcover
has
16
grasslands, remains unaccounted for. As Christine Jones notes:
been actively managed (no-tilled
The rates of soil formation provided in the scientific literature usually
refer to the weathering of parent material and the differentiation of soil
profiles. These are extremely slow processes, sometimes taking thousands
of years…Topsoil formation is a separate process to rock weathering
and can occur quite rapidly under appropriate conditions. In fact, soil
building occurs naturally in most terrestrial habitats unless reversed by
inappropriate human activities, or prevented by lack of disturbance [i.e.,
grazing]… If the land management is appropriate, evidence of new topsoil
formation can be seen within 12 months, with quite dramatic effects often
observed within three years (Jones, 2002, p.3).
Since most of mainstream soil and rangeland science has yet to seriously
investigate complex biodiversity and the biological creation of soils, at
this point in time we must rely mostly on the experience of practicing
farmers and ranchers and some pioneering researchers both in and out
of academia to estimate soil carbon sequestration potential.
For calculation purposes a discussion of soil characteristics is in order.
First of all, mineral soil has a higher bulk density (is more compact)
than biologically created soil, and is far more easily eroded. Soil loss
figures usually assume an average bulk density (weight per unit volume)
of around 1.4 g/cm3 (Edwards & Zierholz, 2000). If one millimeter of soil
is eroded (about the thickness of a 5-cent coin) that represents about 14
tons/hectare (t/ha) soil loss. When new topsoil is forming, it will have
better structure and will contain more air and more pore spaces than
degraded soil, so the bulk density will be less. That is, a given volume
of new topsoil will weigh less than an equal volume of mineral soil. The
bulk density of healthy topsoil may be as low as 0.5 g/cm3. In practical
terms, a one-millimeter increase in the height of new soil would
equate to the formation of around 5–10 t/ha of organically enriched
topsoil (Jones, 2002, p. 5). Therefore, for our estimations we will make a
reasonable assumption of bulk soil density in healthy biological soils of
1g/cm3.
cropped and holistically grazed) to
enhance photosynthetic capacity. On
the right, the soil is from a conventionally managed farm (10 meters through
the fence) that has been set-stocked
and has a long history of phosphate
application. Photo courtesy of Christine Jones.
Since most of mainstream soil and rangel
complex biodiversity and the biological c
mostly on the experience of practicing far
researchers both in and out of academia
Properly managed livestock building
Properly managed livestock building soil organ
soil organic matter in Patagonia, Chile,
matter in Patagonia, being moved as planned t
being moved as planned to ensure
ensure
plant recovery.
adequate
plantadequate
recovery.
topsoil will weigh less than an equal volum
3. In pr
may be
as low as2013
0.5 g/cm
13
RESTORING THE CLIMATE ©topsoil
savory
institute
height of new soil would equate to the for
rbon dioxide, 8.7 ppm. This does not account for the greater and more stable carbon
cumulation in the soils, up to 4 meters deep, which are created by the interactions of
ant roots, mychorrhizal fungi, bacteria, small mammals and insects as the health of the
nd returns.
Since there are 1 x 108 cm2/ha, to a depth of 1 cm, we have 1 x
108 g of soil per hectare, or 100 t/ha. Soil organic matter will
vary according to soil characteristics. For example, Jones
(personal communications, 2013) says that it ranges from
50–62%. Lal, (2001) states that soil organic matter is generally
estimated at 58% of soil organic matter, which we will use
in our examples. If we reasonably calculate that 1% of total
topsoil weight is composed of soil organic matter (Troeh,
2005), then the weight of soil organic matter will be:
Total Weight
% Soil Organic
% Soil Organic
Weight of SOC
x
x
=
of Soil
Matter (SOM)
Carbon (SOC)
per cm of soil
Holisticallymanaged
managed bisonbison
in SouthinDakota,
States restoring
depth
Holistically
SouthUnited
Dakota,
Unitedtheir ancestral soils.
States, restoring their ancestral soils.
100 t/ha
st to explore the potential possibilities, here is an example of applying the formula
ove to a soil which, at 100 tons per hectare we increase the soil organic matter by 2%
which 58% is soil organic carbon: At a density of 1 g/cm3, 40 cm deep over 1 billion
ctares of grasslands would yield 46.4 gigatons of carbon.
x
.01 (1%)
x
0.58 (58%)
= 0.58 tC/ha/cm
To calculate the quantity of carbon captured from the atmosphere and stored in organic molecules in
the soil in terms equivalent to those used by climate advocates, the equivalent formula is expressed as
follows: _________________________________
18
Soil organic matter as a percent of total soil weight
1 %
x
Soil organic carbon – 58% of soil organic matter
58%
x
3
1x
Soil density in g/cm Depth in cm.
30
x
Note that sequestration of 46.4 gigatons of ca
Billions of hectares
1
= approximately 11 times the carbon currently
Total weight of carbon in soil in gigatons per billion hectares 17.4 Gt C
Even on the conservative end if we estimate a
ppm per year, after subtracting the current an
theycarbon
same), in
principle
That is, at a standard soil measurement depth of 30 cm, we would have a total soil
weight
of this returns us to prehalf a decade. The absolute validity of these
17.4 Gt carbon captured per billion hectares. Or, in terms of atmospheric carbon dioxide, 8.7 ppm.
bases for them have yet to be fully vetted. Ho
This does not account for the greater and more stable carbon accumulation in the
soils,
up toconventional
4
current
limited
perspective on s
meters deep, which are created by the interactions of plant roots, mycorrhizal fungi,
bacteria,
small
extremely
promising
while providing no nega
opportunities.
mammals, and insects as the health of the land returns.
Just to explore the potential possibilities, here is an example of applying
the formula above to a soil which, at 100 tons per hectare we increase the
soil organic matter by 2% of which 58% is soil organic carbon: a density of
1 g/cm3, 40 cm deep over 1 billion hectares of grasslands would yield 46.4
gigatons of carbon.
If we were to capture 1 ton of carbon per acre per year on the roughly 5
billion hectares of grasslands worldwide, we would remove 12 Gt of C from
the atmosphere per year, that is, 6 ppm annually. If gross soil sequestration
were approximately 6 ppm/year, after subtracting current annual carbon
emissions of 2.5 ppm/year net sequestration would be 3.5 ppm per year.
14
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
C
Holistically managed grassfed
beef at Two Dot Ranch, Montana,
Holistically managed grassfed beef at Two Dot
United States.
Ranch, Montana, United States
T
i
o
g
s
a
l
s
a
p
The following erroneous prevailing assumptio
scale and pace necessary:
•
•
•
Nature is self-organizing, and when all the elements of biodiversity are in place
ecosystem health is the norm, not the exception. There have been significant
changes in geophysical and biological contexts over the ages, and these are
exceptions that have altered the conditions affecting life many times throughout
the earth's history; but that nonetheless functional, resilient states of ecosystem
In principle this returns us to pre-industrial atmospheric CO2 levels in less than 40 years. How realistic
health have been the prevalent condition under which living creatures have
these numbers are is unknown, since the bases for them have yet to be tested. Nor does it yet take
evolved and thrived.
into account how to address potential pulses of carbon from melting permafrost and seabed sinks.
However,
it iscomplex
apparentcollections
that beyond
the current limited
conventional
Healthy
soils are
of interdependent
life forms,
and as aperspective on soil sequestration
of carbon
the potential
may
indeed
be promising.
The absolute
validity
synergistic
system
soil activity
may
become
seriously impaired
when any
of itsof these numbers is not
elements
are compromised
destroyed,
currently
worldwide
withHowever, it is apparent that
completely
known, sinceorthe
bases forasthem
have occurs
yet to be
fully vetted.
chemical
agriculture,
mismanagement
of grazing
animals,on
and
beyond
the current
limited conventional
perspective
soilover-rest.
sequestration of carbon the potential
is extremely promising while providing no negative consequences, but instead many opportunities.
Effective eco-restoration, of which Holistic Planned Grazing is an essential
component, can restore grasslands and geophysical cycles and stabilize carbon in
CoNCLUSION
the atmosphere
to mitigate the adverse and lethal effects of global warming.
Since the advent of agriculture,
There are several
conventional
assumptions in different mainstream
humanity
has been moving
disciplines carbon
that areinobstacles
to re-establishing
the evolutionary
the wrong
direction –
grassland-grazer
relationship
for
long-term
sequestration
of carbon in
out of the soils and into the
soils and restoring
atmospheric
carbon
atmosphere.
We plow
and dioxide to pre-industrial levels.
Each of these
disciplines—climate
science and advocacy, rangeland
have a tendency to mismanage
science, andlivestock
soil science—contributes
its own prevailing assumptions.
leaving land bare for
much of the year, exposing soil
The following erroneously prevailing assumptions are barriers to
life and humus to sunlight,
restoring climate
at theand
scaleoxidation.
and pace necessary:
desiccation,
On
ground
photosynthetic
• Grazing bare
animals
chronically
overgraze rangelands and destroy soils
Holistic planned grazing in the foreenergy
necessarytofor
which must
be "rested"
be restored;
ground. Loss of soil organic matter due
humification
is
not
harvested.
to lack of ground cover and conven• Climate action should be focused on reducing emissions;
We make mattersAnd
worse
by
tional management in the distance.
of course, we emit massive amounts of carbon from burning fossil fuels. These kinds
Photo
by
David
Marsh,
Australia.
•
Soils
are
a
limited
carbon
sink,
and
biologically
generated
soils
of decisions may new
have seemed
right at the time,
but now we know
that they are leading us
using fertilizers, seriously
Holistic planned grazing in the foreground. Loss of soil organic
and climate catastrophe.
matter due to lack of ground cover and conventionalare not part
of the the
equation;
inhibiting
flowto aofsoiland
energy
to
management in the distance.
Today wecarbonare in the early stages of understanding the extent to which soils can sequester
fungi
that
make
stable,
• Soil sequestration of carbon
is only
significant
the first
30 cm,
and of livestock
atmospheric
carbon.
It seems clear,in
however,
that improper
management
Photo by David Marsh, Australia.
sequestering molecules and
stimulating growth
in bacterial
grazing animals and their grassland habitat is an essential part of the equation to restoring
the climate.
Furthermore, there are so many ecological, social and economic benefits
populations destructive to soil fungi. Unnecessary use of fire also exposes bare
ground,
Collectively these assumptions create a mechanistic view of howthatthe
world
works
andmanagement
should that,
be seriously
accrue
from proper
grassland
notwithstanding uncertainty with
destroys organic soil matter, and emits massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.
respect to ultimate carbon storage capacity, we are well advised to pursue such ecosoil models have led us to underestimate significantly such potential for reversing
soil carbon cycles throughand
the
atmosphere
insee25that
years
ortheless.
climate
change.
As a result, few
restoring
evolutionary relationship between
questioned. These views interfere with a necessary paradigm shift.
On with
theallother
hand, if the necessary
restoration
due dispatch.
_________________________________
paradigm shift occurs
it will allow us to act more effectively on planetary eco-restoration, affecting such
fundamental biogeodynamics as20
carbon and water cycles,
not the least of which is the reversal of an extremely
destructive anthropogenic atmospheric carbon burden.
In order to realize the potential hope that the grasslands
of the world provide for us, we need to make the following
shifts in perspective that underlie Holistic Management:
• Nature functions as complex, interactive wholes, and
humans need to define and work within their given,
localized holistic contexts.
• Nature is self-organizing, and when all the elements
of biodiversity are in place ecosystem health is the norm,
not the exception. There have been significant changes in
geophysical and biological contexts over the ages, and
these are exceptions that have altered the conditions
affecting life many times throughout the earth's history.
Photoof
of Stream
in Wyoming,
USA - Taken
moments States,
apart standing
on a bridge.
Photo
stream
in Wyoming,
United
taken
mo-Left:
Upstream Land - Properly managed using Holistic Management (150% increase in
ments apart
onDownstream
a bridge.
Upstream
Land
livestockstanding
numbers); Right:
LandLeft:
- Managed
conventionally
- properly managed using Holistic Management (150%
increase in livestock numbers); Downstream Land managed conventionally.
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
_________________________________
15
Nonetheless functional, resilient states of ecosystem health have been the prevalent condition under
which living creatures have evolved and thrived.
•
Healthy soils are complex collections of interdependent life forms, and as a synergistic system soil activity may become seriously impaired when any of its elements are compromised or destroyed, as
currently occurs worldwide with chemical agriculture, mismanagement of grazing animals, and
over-rest.
• Effective eco-restoration, of which Holistic Planned Grazing is an essential component, can restore
grasslands and geophysical cycles and stabilize carbon in the atmosphere to mitigate the adverse and
lethal effects of global warming.
Since the advent of agriculture, humanity has been moving carbon in the wrong direction—out of the
soils and into the atmosphere. We plow and have a tendency to mismanage livestock leaving land bare for
much of the year, exposing soil life and humus to sunlight, desiccation, and oxidation. On bare ground,
photosynthetic energy necessary for humification is not harvested. We make matters worse by using
fertilizers, thereby seriously inhibiting the flow of energy to fungi that make stable, carbon-sequestering
molecules and stimulating growth in certain bacterial populations destructive to soil fungi. Unnecessary
use of fire also exposes bare ground, destroys organic soil matter, and emits carbon into the atmosphere.
And of course, we emit massive amounts of carbon from burning fossil fuels. These kinds of decisions may
have seemed right at the time, but now we know that they are leading us to a soil and climate catastrophe.
Today we are in the early stages of understanding the extent to which soils can sequester atmospheric
carbon. It seems clear, however, that improper management of livestock and soil models have led us to
underestimate significantly the potential for reversing climate change by restoring soils. As a result, few
see that restoring the evolutionary relationship between grazing animals and their grassland habitat is an
essential part of the equation to restoring the climate. Furthermore, there are so many ecological, social
and economic benefits that accrue from proper grassland management that, notwithstanding uncertainty
with respect to ultimate carbon storage capacity, we are well advised to pursue such eco-restoration with all
due dispatch.
16
RESTORING THE CLIMATE © savory institute 2013
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