Carbon dynamics of silvopasture systems in the Northeastern United States

Silvopasture is increasingly recognized as a nature-based solution to climate change. However, few studies have quantified the total carbon storage potential of silvopasture in humid continental climates, complicating efforts to understand climate mitigation potential. In this study, we compared the carbon stocks of silvopastures established by afforestation of trees into pastures (silvopasture) with pasture that remained without trees (treeless pasture) on five farms in the Northeastern United States. Total carbon content was measured in the woody, herbaceous, and soil pools for silvopastures and treeless pastures. Results indicate that silvopastures stored 43% more total carbon (136.42 Mg C ha^- 1) than treeless pastures (95.47 Mg C ha^- 1), with tree carbon in silvopastures being the driving factor. No significant difference in soil carbon stocks were found between systems across all five study farms. Total carbon content of forages was generally lower in silvopastures (7.24 Mg C ha^- 1) when compared to treeless pasture (7.84 Mg C ha^- 1). These findings quantify the additionality of silvopasture as a nature-based carbon storage practice when trees are planted into pasture.