Carbon storage potential of Halocnemum strobilaceum in coastal rangelands of Boushehr province

This study was conducted to calculate the amounts of carbon storage and effects of environmental factors on C storage of Halocnemum strobilaceum in the coastal rangelands in Bordekhoon of Boushehr province. The plant samples were cut (above and underground), and soil samples were taken at two depths (0-30, 30-50 cm) in five sampling and control sites. The plant samples (leaves, branches, and roots) and soil factors (percentage of sand, clay and silt, EC, pH, SP, T.N.V, Bd, OC, and N) in each sample point were determined by laboratory methods. Organic carbon in plant parts and soil were determined using burning and Walky-black methods. The relations between soil parameters and C storage in above and below ground biomass were determined using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The result showed that the amount of C storage in above-and below-ground biomass was 248 and 18.62 gr/m2, respectively. Furthermore, the amount of C stored beneath the plant had a significant difference with stored carbon at a distance of 1.5 m. The result of variance analysis of soil parameters and soil carbon storage with a central site for other parameters showed a significant difference at the 5% level. The average soil carbon storage was 4152.75gr/m2. The amount of carbon stored in second soil depth was more than the first depth, due to the root penetration and root development. Total carbon storage in the plant biomass of the study habitat was 3728 tons in 20 ha of species distribution and 153800 t/ha at the regional level, showing the important role of soil in carbon storage. The results of the effect of soil parameters on carbon storage by PCA and cluster analysis showed that, the most important parameters influencing soil carbon storage were EC, pH, percentage of sand and silt and bulk density.