Comparing Carbon Sequestration Potential of Three Shrub Species Heliantemum lippii, Dendrostellera lessertii and Artemisia sieberi (Case study: Gareh Bygone, Fasa)

Carbon is the most important greenhouse element which sequestrates by photosynthesis procedure and is the easiest and cheapest way of decreasing atmospheric gas level. The vegetation cover that has woody texture is more capable for carbon sequestration. The most plant species of arid rangelands are the shrub growth forms. The purpose of this research was to assess carbon sequestration potential for dominant shrub species of arid rangelands in Garehbeygon area. After determination of key area, the percentage cover of three important shrub species Heliantemum lippii, Dendrostellera lessertii and Artemisia sieberi were measured. On the basis of statistical method for determining sampling number, 92 plants of H. lippii and 98 plants of each of D. lessertii and A. sieberi were chosen by random. The shoot (leaves, stems and branches) and root parts were transferred to laboratory for calculation of carbon sequestration factor of each plant parts by inflammation method The statistical results showed that the carbon sequestration by three plant species were significantly different (P < 1%) and A. sieberi has the most potential of carbon sequestration in the region. The carbon sequestrations of the four parts of the plants (leaves, branch, stem and root) in the 3 studied species were significantly different (P < 1%) with the stems holding the highest record of carbon sequestration and the leaves with the least.