What is Carbon Sequestration
As society considers ways to reduce the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, more attention is being paid to how natural ecosystems such as wetlands, grasslands and forests are able to capture and store carbon.
Carbon can be found in the air in the form of a gas called carbon dioxide. When there’s too much carbon dioxide in the air, it can make our planet too warm. The good news is that natural processes like photosynthesis absorb carbon out of the atmosphere and incorporate it into plant leaves, stems and roots that eventually die and become part of the soil. Grasslands, forests and saltwater marshes are ecosystems that are often referred to as carbon sinks meaning that they absorb and bury more carbon than they emit.
FAST FACT: Ducks Unlimited has planted well over 90 million trees across the U.S. as part of our reforestation efforts.
Carbon Sequestration Means Climate Resilience
Protecting and restoring wetlands can help mitigate climate change by reducing the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Natural ecosystems like forests and wetlands are able to capture and store carbon. These nature-based solutions also support climate adaptation strategies by providing resilient landscapes. Functional and resilient natural systems support healthy and sustainable communities for people all across the world.
Threats to Climate Resilience
- Wetland Degradation
- Deforestation
- Poor Soil Health
- Pollution
How DU Manages Carbon Sequestration
Wetland Conservation: DU restores degraded wetlands, such as salt marshes, bottomland hardwood forests, and peatlands to help enhance carbon sequestration by promoting the accumulation of organic matter and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from drained or degraded wetlands. DU also protects these systems, which prevents the emissions of carbon that occur when wetlands are drained.
Grassland Restoration: DU restores grasslands by reseeding native grass species and implementing improved grazing management strategies which increase carbon storage in soils and restore ecosystem functions. DU works to protect intact grasslands that also prevents the loss of the massive stocks of soil carbon buried in grassland soils.
Reforestation: DU has planted over 90 million trees across the U.S. in an effort to restore forests and habitats on degraded lands. By planting a diverse array of native tree species, we aim to create resilient ecosystems that improve air and water quality and increase soil fertility. Forests trap and store atmospheric carbon in live and dead wood, wood products and soils.
Soil Health: DU implements soil management practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation, which can enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural lands by improving soil structure, increasing root biomass and reducing soil erosion.
