Application of different computation methods for estimating soil sequestrated carbon (Case Study: Chaharbagh summer rangelands, Golestan province)

This study was conducted with two aims, including the study of various rangeland managing effects on soil carbon sequestration and another purpose was studying of difference between the used methods of reporting the amount of soil carbon. Different approaches to calculation and presentation of carbon include using carbon concentration parameter (gr C/kg soil)؛ Carbon mass parameter based on constant depth (ton C/ ha) and carbon mass based on equivalent depth (ton C/ha). However some scientific reasons show, the approach of carbon mass based on equivalent depth; due to fluctuation of calculation depth effect on the role of bulk density changes that by applied its role can estimate the actual soil carbon in an equivalent depth. By soil sampling from shallow depth in five kinds of rangeland utilization and management (including of pen area, rural, enclosure, key area (moderate grazing) and watering place); the amount of carbon was calculated according to the above-mentioned methods then statistical analysis was used. The results of means comparison showed that base on first methods home range, enclosure and key area with the amount of 37. 80, 27. 30 and 22. 92 gr c/ kg soil have the highest carbon while conflicting results were obtained base on equivalent soil mass. To resolve this prevalent inconsistency in numerous studies, equivalent soil mass were calculated and its result showed that pen site have the highest carbon mass 108. 64 ton per hectare in equivalent depth. Overall results in this study area, the conventional methods that are used for calculating organic matter Due to the unequal soil masses are not accurately expressing about differences in soil mass. For the evaluation of reliable storage of soil organic matter and nutrients; comparison soil masses should be equivalent. However, the validity of these findings is recommended to be tested in other sites for achieving practical results.