Carbon storage capacity of Lycium depressum Stocks and Zygophyllum fabago L. and soil (rooting depth) of their habitats in Meyghan playa, Arak

In this study, the initial assessment of carbon storage in plant communities of Lycium depressum Stocks and Zygophylum fabago L. was done in the Meyghan playa, Arak. Plant sampling was done by the random-systematic method. To determine the aboveground and underground biomass, a clipping method was used, and these organs were weighed separately. The organic carbon of plant samples was determined by the ash method. Soil studies were performed in each plant type, in the depth of plant rooting, as well as in areas without plants. The data were analyzed by SPSS24 software. The results showed that the soil and plant average carbon sequestration of Z. fabago habitat was 14.61 and 0.18, and in L. depressum type was 13.8 and 0.425 ton/ha. This difference was not significant at the 5% level. Soil carbon sequestration increased significantly in areas covered with studied species (t = - 6.902, p < /em> = 0.001), compared to the areas without any vegetation cover. The carbon conversion coefficient of above and underground organs of the studied plants was significant at the level of 5% and the carbon sequestration of aboveground parts of the plant to underground carbon sequestrated ratio in Z. fabago and L. depressum was 2.43 and 2.08, respectively. Considering the carbon storage capacity of plants studied (in the soil and plant), it can be concluded that these plants can play an important role in carbon sequestration at the least possible cost, and mitigation of climate change consequences in arid regions.