Carbon Sequestration and its relation with some Physical and Chemical Characteristics in Soil of Natural Oak Forest and Afforestations in Ilam County

The effects of forestry on carbon storage as a cost-effective way to reduce global warming have been proven. In our country, especially in the province of Ilam, for the increase of green space per capita of significant areas of susceptible land, different types of forestry have been affected, but the effects of these forests on soil carbon storage and sequestration have been less studied. In this study, the effects of Tehran pine forest (Pinus eldarica Medw.) And silver cedar (Cupressus arizonica Green.) Along with Iranian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl) Forests on soil carbon sequestration in Choghbaz forest park of Ilam city were investigated. Examine and compare. Also, the relationship between some physical and chemical properties of soil with carbon sequestration of different soils was investigated.

to achieve the above goals, 15 of Quercus brantii Lindl. 15 of planted conifer Pinus eldarica Medw and 15 of Cupressus arizonica Green, totally 45 trees were selectes based on random transects and soil samples under the crown of each tree at the same distance from stem (30-50 cm) at 0-30 depth were taken. After transferring the samples to laboratory and the relevant analysis, the amount of carbon sequestration was determined using appropriate formula by organic carbon in the soil samples.

The results indicated that soil carbon sequestration of Pinus eldarica Medw. (55.7 ton/ha) was significantly more than Cupressus arizonica Green (39.98 ton/ha) and Quercus brantii Lindl. (29.45 ton/ha). Their economic values for mentioned species were computed 140, 101 and 74 million rial’s respectively. The result of Correlation analysis showed that the percentages of organic matter, nitrogen, electrical conductivity and bulk density were respectively the most important factors for soil carbon sequestration.

based on the obtained results of this study, carbon sequestration potential of different plants species is not the same. Therefore, by identifying the species which have higher capabilities for carbon sequestration and analyzing management factors affecting carbon sequestration, it is possible to advance the programs to revive the lands by carbon sequestration.