What is one strategy to reduce climate change related to plant management?

Increasing carbon storage in plants is an effective strategy to mitigate climate change. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, which helps to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. By cultivating a diverse range of plants, especially trees and perennials, land managers can enhance the carbon sequestration capabilities of the ecosystem.

This strategy involves selecting and promoting plant species that have a higher capacity for carbon storage, thereby contributing to the overall balance of carbon in the atmosphere. Additionally, practices such as agroforestry, afforestation, and maintaining healthy soil conditions can further increase the amount of carbon stored in plants and their surroundings. Utilizing plants in this way not only helps reduce greenhouse gas levels but also enhances biodiversity and improves ecosystem resilience.

In contrast, options like increasing water usage or reducing pesticide applications do not directly relate to carbon storage, and eliminating plant cover would actually release stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change rather than alleviating it.