Perennials and Soil Conservation

Because perennials allocate a high proportion of their growth to vegetative structures and regrow for many years, they can: i. protect soil from erosion; ii. return organic matter (carbon-based materials that originated from living organisms) to the soil, providing multiple soil health benefits; and iii. remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, potentially sequestering (storing) carbon in the soil or aboveground plant biomass. Forests, for example, sequester carbon above-ground in trees and in below-ground root systems.

Perennial grasses, in particular, have dense, fibrous roots that protect soil from erosion well and are valuable plants for soil conservation. In addition, over the years, some perennial roots and aboveground plant tissues die when environmental conditions limit growth (ex. drought, winter, grazing), and accumulate organic matter and nutrients in the soil. The majority of the most fertile and deep agricultural soils of the world were formed under natural perennial grasslands, whose deep root systems accumulated organic matter in the soil which contributed many beneficial soil properties, as well as carbon sequestration. Some annual crops can also contribute to conserving soil and add organic matter to the soil if a large portion of the crop residue is left on the soil surface, such corn stalks left on a field after the grain is harvested.

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Figure 6.1.15. Perennial grass roots, belowground rhizomes, and aboveground plant tissues provide year-round protection from soil erosion on a sloping field in Pennsylvania, while also providing forage for ruminant dairy cows during the spring, summer and autumn months.
Credit: Heather Karsten

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Figure 6.1.16. Some cool-season perennial grasses with rhizomes indicated by the red arrows.
Credit: Maria Carlassare

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Figure 6.1.17. Perennial grass mowed and drying for hay harvest on a steeply sloped field in Pennsylvania.
Credit: Heather Karsten

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Figure 6.1.18. Sheep moving to high mountain pastures in the New Zealand South Island of where perennial grasses and legumes protect the soil from erosion on steep slopes and the perennial life cycle is adapted to the short growing season.
Credit: Heather Karsten

Check Your Understanding

Short Answer

Can you name some well-known, high-value perennial crops that are produced in the mountainous regions on the steep slopes of the following countries: Switzerland, Costa Rica, Columbia, Peru, Italy? Type them in the space below.

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