Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the earth has sparked a worldwide debate among business leaders, governments and environmental organizations.

Through photosynthesis, biomass, including forests and grasslands, act as natural repositories of carbon by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in its leaves, trees, roots and soils. The greater the amount of biomass (trees, roots, leaves, stalks, branches, etc.) the greater the amount of carbon is sequestered.

To date, the bulk of research on carbon sequestration has been with forests yet grasslands sequester substantial amounts of carbon. Unlike trees, most of the carbon held by grasslands is below ground. In as little as two months after planting, grasses begin to sequester carbon and then continue to store it over time. The two largest carbon "sinks" are living biomass (e.g. roots) and unoxidized carbon bound in soil. When roots decay, the carbon stored in them will remain underground until the soil is disturbed.(scroll down)

The Nature Conservancy owns over 1,200 acres at Nachusa Grasslands near Dixon, Illinois. The long-term goal is to protect over 3,000 acres at this site. While Scientists have identified 11 different ecological communities at Nachusa, portions of the preserve have recently been acquired. By re-introducing native prairie plants to these tracts of land and increasing the above and below ground biomass, the amount of carbon sequestered will be increased.

Mike Konen, Ph.D. Geography at Northern Illinois University is partnering with the Conservancy at Nachusa Grasslands. Mike has a long interest in measuring grassland carbon sequestration. He is studying the relationship between soil aggregate, stability, bulk density, texture, porosity and organic carbon content in the surface horizon.

In many public opinion polls, respondents have demonstrated an interest in both preserving biological diversity and mitigating the threats of global warming. This carbon sequestration project helps achieve both of these goals.