Effects of aspect and elevation on carbon sequestration process in Tehran Suburbs vegetation

Altitude and geographical directions in mountainous areas change at short distances and thus create high complexity in the physiography of the region. By changing the physiography, there will be a change in the diversity and structure of the vegetation and the amount of carbon sequestration. This study investigated the effect of changes in altitude, slope and direction of the southern Alborz mountain range on the outskirts of Tehran on carbon sequestration.

The physiographic and landform diversity map was prepared based on the digital model of the altitude of the region and taking into account the altitude factor and changes in the direction of the slope and slope. Based on this information layer, soil and vegetation sampling was performed in each of the physiographic forms in the field. Changes in soil carbon dioxide and its relationship with vegetation were investigated based on physiographic parameters.

The results showed that the direction of slope, slope and altitude is directly related to the amount of carbon sequestration of vegetation. The western geographical direction and low slopes showed the highest carbon sequestration. Also, with increasing altitude without considering the direction factor and slope, the amount of soil carbon had a significantly decreasing trend. The results of root organic carbon analysis of the studied samples showed that the lowest amount of root organic carbon was observed in Ferula stipa and the highest amount of root organic carbon was observed in Ferula psathyrostachys.

Altitude, slope and geographical direction of the slopes affect the rate of carbon sequestration. In situations where air pollution and climate change in a way that changes in temperature and rainfall are noticeable can have a negative effect on the carbon sequestration cycle. This effect will be especially greater on the southern and eastern slopes.