Cost comparing of soil carbon sequestration in rangeland reclamation practices through plantation of Agropyron elongatum and Atriplex lentiformis (Case Study: Chapr goymeh of Gonbad)

Carbon sequestration in soil through rangeland reclamation and planting new species, in view point of economics, is one of the practical ways to reduce CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Study about carbon sequestration cost and identification of low-cost species is necessary to recommendation of low-cost suitable species for reclamation of rangeland. Economic aspects of soil carbon sequestration were evaluated in two sites of Chapar Ghoymeh region planted by Agropyon elomgatum and Atriplex lentiformis. Therefore soil annual sequestrated carbon amount per hectare was determined after laboratory analyzing of random soil samples of two species planted sites and comparing with soil carbon of control site. Thus final annual cost of carbon sequestration per hectare was assessed using of cost and income data of sites driven of handbook of rangeland reclamation plans and interview with experts. Overall results of this study showed that reclamation of rangeland by Atriplex lentiformis and Agropyron elongatum have sequestrated 21.974 and 12.872 ton carbon per hectare in soil respectively. The cost of sequestrating carbon in soil of Atriplex lentiformis and Agropyron elongatum sites were 17,056,172 and 20,115,109 Rials respectively. Therefore Atriplex lentiformis is more suitable and low-cost species in reclamation of rangeland in view point of soil carbon sequestration and continuing reclamation of this region by planting Atriplex lentiformis would contain low cost for sequestration carbon in soil.