Lawns and Carbon Sequestration: Your Yard as a Climate Tool

Lawns pull CO₂ from air and store carbon in roots and soil. Ohio State research: lawns can sequester 25–204 g C/m²/year. A 5,000 sq ft lawn could sock away ~100 lbs of carbon annually.

But: Fertilized lawns emit nitrous oxide (N₂O)—a greenhouse gas 300× more potent than CO₂. Kansas and HortScience studies show N₂O emissions can offset ~30% of stored carbon. Net climate benefit depends on management intensity.

Resources:

• HortScience: Carbon Sequestration in Lawns
• Turfgrass Carbon Sequestration (Kansas)

Lawn carbon cycle