Ecosystems & Pathways
Regenerative grazing
Managed livestock movement intended to improve pasture health and soil carbon.
Practices involve higher stocking density for short periods followed by rest, aiming to mimic herd behaviour and stimulate grass regrowth and root turnover.
Claims for soil carbon gains are contested and highly variable. Measurement demands baseline sampling and repeated measurement, because rangeland carbon varies enormously across short distances.
Frequently asked questions
Is the carbon gain well established?
It is plausible in some contexts and unproven as a general rule, so programme-level measurement is essential.
What else does it affect?
Water infiltration, forage quality and methane from livestock, which must be accounted for in any net claim.