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Title: PRAIRIE WETLANDS OF NORTH AMERICA IMPORTANT FOR CARBON STORAGE

Author
item GLEASON, ROBERT - US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
item EULISS, NED - US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
item Olness, Alan
item BROWNE, BRYANT - UNIV. OF WISCONSIN

Submitted to: National Conference on Carbon Sequestration
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/21/2002
Publication Date: 11/21/2002
Citation: GLEASON, R.A., EULISS, N.H., OLNESS, A.E., BROWNE, B. PRAIRIE WETLANDS OF NORTH AMERICA IMPORTANT FOR CARBON STORAGE. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CARBON SEQUESTRATION. 2002. ABSTRACT P. 67.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Our research suggests that greater amounts of atmospheric carbon could be stored in wetlands in the prairie pothole region (PPR) through restoration programs than on no-till cropland even though the acreage of wetlands is much smaller. Additionally, limited data suggests that restored wetlands emit less methane and nitrous oxide than farmed wetlands; reduction in trace gas emissions should provide an additional greenhouse gas benefit. We estimate that wetland restoration programs in the PPR have potential to sequester more than the 100 million metric tons of carbon. This is the emission-reduction goal that President Bush established for the United States to meet by 2012.