GRACEnet: Greenhouse gas reduction through agricultural carbon enhancement network

GRACEnet (greenhouse gas reduction through agricultural carbon enhancement network) is a new research program initiated by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The primary objectives of GRACEnet are to identify and develop agricultural strategies that will enhance soil C sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide a scientific basis for possible C credit and trading programs that could be used to reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases and improve environmental quality. This program will generate information on C storage in agricultural systems, which is needed by producers, program managers, and policy makers. Scenarios evaluated in GRACEnet will not only address mitigation of CO2 emission through soil C sequestration, but also their effects on nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). Both grazing lands (range and pasture) and croplands (irrigated and dryland) will be investigated. The information generated will be applicable at the local (e.g., farm or ranch), regional and national scales. GRACEnet's geographical extent, use of common procedures, and cooperation with other North American C cycle research programs will result in robust information to promote scientifically based conservation technologies that are relevant to national and international policy makers, as well as to agricultural producers and practitioners.