Do sequestration practices affect greenhouse gases other than CO2?
Yes. Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are potent greenhouse gases that are also important to consider for forests, croplands and grazing lands. Practices that maintain and sequester carbon can have both positive and negative effects on CH4 and N2O emissions. The relationship among practices that affect CO2, CH4, and N2O can be especially complex in cropping and grazing systems. For example, if nitrogen-based fertilizers are applied to crops to increase yields, this would likely enhance soil carbon but the benefit could be partially or completely offset by increased emissions of N2O. The practice of rotational grazing can be beneficial across all three major gases: soil carbon can be maintained and enhanced; livestock CH4 emissions should decline due to improved forage quality; and N2O emissions can be avoided by eliminating the need for fertilizer applications on the pasture. These complex interactions among gases mean that it is important to consider not only carbon but all the g
