Effects of grazing intensities on carbon sequestration and storage in the rangelands of Bijar protected area

This study was conducted to investigate whether different livestock grazing intensities and exclusion could affect rangeland total carbon (C) storage in the Bijar protected area, Kurdistan. Carbon storage in above- and below-ground of samples collected from 1 m2 plots established along the 50 meters transects were measured. The results showed that the plant community composition has been gradually changed from perennial grasses ( Festuca ovina and Bromus tomentellus ) in exclusion to F. ovine and annual species ( Vaccaria pyramidata) in low grazing pressure and Artemisia sieberi and Aegilops sp in heavily grazed sites. The biomass C storage was also decreased significantly under livestock grazing conditions (P