Carbon pool capacity of plant species Calligonum comosum L. and Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A.Mey.) bunge in Mirjaveh plain

Rangelands are one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems that are very important in the carbon sequestration process. In this study, the amount of carbon pool was measured and compared in the habitats of Haloxylon ammodendron and Calligonum comosum in Mirjaveh plain, Sistan and Baluchestan province (in 2021). The research was based on a completely randomized design. Above and belowground biomass was harvested along 100 m transects. In order to determine the soil carbon pool of plant species, sampling was performed from three depths )0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm (. The amount of soil and plant organic carbon, bulk density and carbon storage of plant and soil were measured. Data were analyzed using SPPSS.20. The results showed that in both habitats, the highest and lowest amounts of organic carbon and soil carbon pool were related to depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm, respectively. Results showed that in both habitats, soil carbon pool, bulk density, organic carbon had the maximum levels in the 0-15 cm soil layer. In C. comosum habitat, Cp in the 0-15 cm depth was more than the same soil depth in H. ammodendron habitat. In both plants, Cp in the belowground biomass was significantly more than the aboveground biomass (p<0.01). In particular, our study showed that C. comosum has more potential to store carbon compared with H. ammodendron. The use of shrubs in biological practices can increase the carbon pool in arid lands but, the efficiency of more plant species needs to be assessed.