Effect of grazing on carbon sequestration potential in Artemisia sieberi (case study: Chah Mary ranges in Behbahan)

The reduced biomass in forests and rangelands ecosystems for any reason can affect the process of carbon sequestration and as a result of global warming. This study was conducted to assess carbon storage under different grazing intensities in rangeland of Chah Mary dominated with Artemisia siberi in Khuzestan province. Three sites under heavy, moderate and low grazing intensities were selected based on similar topographic features (slope, aspect and elevation), rainfall, soil and climate. Plant sampling was done in key areas by random-systematic method along three transects of 100m and 60 plots of 1m2. Then, aerial and underground biomass parameters were evaluated in each plot and carbon was determined by ash method. The data were analyzed by SPSS v.16 software. According to the results, carbon sequestration decreased from 5704/3 in the low-grazing region to 3470/1 in the high-grazing region. Also, under low-grazing intensity, the carbon stored in aerial biomass and underground biomass was 4360/9 and 2180/5, respectively.