Prelude on Estimation of Carbon Reserves in Beech Forests of Northern Iran

Iran's beech forests are one of the most important vegetation communities in the country which are highly ecologically important due to their dynamic and diverse vegetation and fertile soils, as well as the large area of ​​arid and semi-arid lands in the country. But there is little information about the carbon stocks of these forests.

In this research, the aboveground carbon of trees and carbon stock in three sites in selected forestry plans in three northern provinces (Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan) were selected and sampled from trees in random plots and from soil at depths of 0-30 and 30 to 60 centimeter was done. Ponce-Hernanadez method was used to estimate the aboveground carbon of trees and the Valky Block method was used for soil carbon sequestration and all calculations were made in terms of tons per hectare.

The results showed that, both carbon tree and soil carbon stocks were increased in both depths from East to West, but the amount of soil carbon stocks was decreased with increasing depth. Estimates have shown that the carbon stock potential of the country's beech forests was an average of 227.475 t / ha in aboveground section and 205.190 t / ha in the underground (soil) section.

These results demonstrate the further need for urgent conservation operations for this valuable heritage of our country by emphasizing the prevention of further destruction.