A new study published in Global Change Biology Communications suggests that continued livestock grazing in Iceland's subarctic grasslands might actually help increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil. Researchers observed that when grazing was stopped for long periods, soil carbon levels decreased. In contrast, areas where grazing continued showed higher levels of soil carbon over time. The study also found that when grazing was abandoned for extended periods, the vegetation in the grasslands changed. These changes led to plant types that naturally store less carbon in the soil. This shift in vegetation, according to the researchers, may explain the decline in soil carbon levels when grazing stops. Anna Gudrun Thorhallsdottir, a professor at the University of Iceland at Holar and the study’s corresponding author, emphasized that the findings could have significant implications for global climate policy and sustainable land management. The research highlights the potential role of grazing in maintaining healthy grasslands and boosting soil carbon storage, which is important for mitigating climate change. The results challenge some common assumptions about the impact of grazing on the environment. While overgrazing can harm ecosystems, this study suggests that a moderate and sustained level of grazing might be beneficial for soil health and carbon sequestration in certain regions like Iceland's subarctic grasslands. These insights could inform future strategies for managing grasslands in a way that supports both ecological and climate goals.