Does healthy soil really sequester carbon?

Yes, healthy soil is one of the most effective carbon storage systems on Earth. Well-managed soils can sequester significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, making your landscaping choices a meaningful part of climate action right here in New Brunswick.

Soil carbon sequestration happens when plants pull CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, then transfer some of that carbon to their roots and into the soil through root exudates, decomposing plant matter, and mycorrhizal fungal networks. Healthy soils with good organic matter content can store 2-3 times more carbon than degraded soils. In New Brunswick's climate, this process works particularly well because our cool, moist conditions slow decomposition, allowing organic matter to build up over time.

The key factors for carbon sequestration in NB soils include maintaining year-round plant cover, minimizing soil disturbance, and building organic matter. Your lawn, when properly managed, actually sequesters carbon quite effectively because grass roots are constantly growing, dying, and feeding soil organisms. Perennial gardens with deep-rooted plants like native asters, goldenrod, and wild bergamot are even better carbon sinks. Trees are champions here — a mature maple or oak can sequester 40-50 pounds of CO2 annually, with much of that carbon ending up in the soil around their roots.

Practical steps to maximize carbon sequestration on your property include keeping soil covered year-round (even winter mulch helps), adding compost annually to feed soil microorganisms, avoiding unnecessary tilling, and choosing deep-rooted perennials over shallow annuals. In New Brunswick's acidic soils, adding organic matter is especially important because it feeds the beneficial bacteria and fungi that create stable carbon compounds.

The numbers are impressive for our region. Well-managed grasslands and gardens can sequester 0.5-2 tons of CO2 per acre annually. Even a typical suburban lot can store several hundred pounds of carbon each year through good soil management. This is why sustainable landscaping practices — composting, native plantings, reduced tillage — benefit both your garden's health and the broader environment.

Your landscaping choices genuinely matter for carbon storage, especially when multiplied across thousands of New Brunswick properties practicing soil-building techniques.