Yosemite planted 40,000 seedlings, but restored meadow is still losing carbon

Researchers in Yosemite National Park recently planted 40,000 native sedge seedlings in Tuolumne Meadows to address soil degradation caused by sheep grazing that occurred over a century ago. The restoration project aimed to revitalize the ecosystem by improving soil organic matter in the damaged landscape.

After a three-year monitoring period, scientists observed improvements in the soil's organic composition. However, the meadow continues to function as a net carbon source, releasing more carbon than it sequesters despite the restoration efforts.