This technical report of 2010 is the ninth volume of the series ‘Integrated Crop Management’, prepared for the Plant Production and Protection Division of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). It provides in a clear, understandable and concise manner, by means of five short chapters and policy brief, key information on the current opportunities and challenges for grassland carbon sequestration, and approaches are needed for the inclusion of grasslands in future climate agreements to enhance the longer term adaptation to climate variability.

The book is pleasantly written, generally in a positive forward-looking manner. It is well produced and reasonably priced. Albeit described as a technical report, it is more a distillation of the research that informs us on the potential and pitfalls of managing C sequestration and, thus, related attempts to mitigate against climate change in (mostly degraded) grassland systems. The information contained in the book is of interest to a wide audience as it provides useful research-based information for those newly foraying into this research area, or a synopsis of crucial issues for those more familiar with carbon sequestration in grasslands. The References section with over 100 key literature publications provides a suitable basis for further exploration of the subject. The figures, table and additional text box inserts are useful, mainly through their simple information structure. The book is further enhanced by a good selection of excellent photographs, which bring ‘to life’ the variety of grassland systems and societies depending on them, some of which would clearly benefit from improved management practices.

The book highlights that grasslands cover broad areas and hence contribute substantially to livelihoods globally, but their degradation is widespread. However, clear opportunities, in grassland systems, exist to simultaneously reduce carbon emission and grassland degradation, as well as an associated potential to increase forage production and income, all by means of implementation of simple practices to enhance carbon sequestration. Workable policies and incentives for C sequestration are still too few, with land tenure and governance issues complicating implantation. Well-intentioned policies do not always lead to good practices, and carbon sequestered in grasslands may be subject to reversal. The book points out that practical combinations of measurements, modelling and improved data management could provide formal systems to assess carbon stock changes. Indications are given where priority should be given to investments in sustainable land management and, importantly, the sound policies that should underpin it. Finally, the book identifies research priorities to deal with the current gaps in our knowledge of carbon sequestration grassland systems. A nice touch is the inclusion of a policy brief to assist policy makers in their development plans for sustainable grassland systems. Overall, the book highlights the crucial role that pastoralists can have in global sustainability issues in managing grasslands for climate change mitigation and adaptation and how they themselves can benefit from it.