Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Researcher, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Department, Markazi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran
Abstract
Banketing and artificial afforestation are effective processes for soil carbon storage and removal of carbon from the atmosphere. In this research, land use change and its effects on carbon storage has been studied in Pakal Basin in Markazi Province. Rangeland was selected as a witness for comparing soil carbon storage with areas with banketing operations and planted with almonds (biomechanical activity) . Soil was sampled on transect and plot in systematic random samplingFor this purpose, three plots were used randomly, along each transect. Soil samples of one kilogram were taken from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth of each plot. . Soil physico-chemical properties such as bulk density, organic carbon and soil texture were analyzed. Resalts showed that total carbon stored in the soils of bio-mechanical operation is 33.65 t.ha-1 from which 30% belongs to above and underground biomass, 2% litter,38.9% in the depth of 0-30 and 29.1% in the depth of 15-30 cm. Also, the the results showed theamount of soil organic carbon of 30.16 t.ha-1 in witness area from which 4% belongs to above and underground biomass, 3% litter, 62% in the depth of 0-15 and 31% in the depth of 15-30 cm.. As a result, biomechanical operations are more effective in carbon sequestration compared to rangelands as witness areas.
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