Abstract:
To obtain estimates of carbon sequestered following
afforestation, we studied the amount of soil carbon sequestration in two
15-year old stands of needle-leaved eldar pine (Pinus eldarica
Medw.) and broad-leaved black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)
and a control area (without afforestation) in South of Tehran, Iran. For
this purpose, sample plots (30x30 m) were randomly chosen in either site.
In each plot, samples from depths of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-60 cm of four
soil profiles were taken for investigations. In laboratory, Soil Organic
Carbon (SOC) content of samples was determined by the Walkley-Black method.
No significant difference in the amount of soil carbon sequestration of
two stands was detected, but each stand sequestered higher carbon content
in soil compared to that of in control area. In all soil samples, the
highest carbon sequestration was observed in upper layer of soil. Likewise,
values of growth and biomass of eldar pine trees were greater than those
of black locust trees. It was concluded that there is a great potential
of afforestation, in increasing of soil carbon sequestration.
M. Tabari and A. Salehi, 2008. Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential of Eldar Pine and Black Locust Afforestation in a Semi-Arid Zone of Iran. Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2: 483-490.
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