Comparative evaluation of carbon sequestration in relation to watershed management practices and reclamation operations (Case Study: Rimele, Romeshkan flood spreading and Abkhandari Koohdasht)

Climate change، causing global warming at a rate of 1. 4° C، is considered as a tangible reality in this century and accelerates the decline of land resources (soil، water and biological resources) especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world including our country. This is due to the annual increase of 1. 7% of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The only known solution is carbon sequestration by terrestrial ecosystems with efficient management tools such as mechanical and biological operations. In order to estimate the amount of carbon sequestration، three basins (Rimeleh، Kouhdasht and Romeshgan) were selected. In the Rimeleh، Kouhdasht and Romeshgan basins 3، 4، and 3 soil profiles were dug respectively. Soil samples were collected from depths of 0 to 25 and 25 to 50 cm. The core sampling method was used to determine the bulk density. Then، carbon sequestration per unit area was determined by Walkley-Black method. The amounts for the three basins of Rimeleh، Kouhdasht and Romeshgan were estimated to be 45. 7، 54. 8 and 78. 4 tons per hectare respectively، while the mean of the control samples was 26 tons per hectare. Results of statistical analysis in Excel، SPSS and Minitab software showed a significant difference in the rate of carbon sequestration for different sites. Generally، Romeshgan site with a carbon sequestration of 78. 4 tons per hectare was a successful project in terms of carbon sequestration due to management practices and mechanical and biological operations in watershed.