Estimation of economic value of carbon sequestration at Inchehbrun salt lands, Golestan province

In this study, the economic evaluation of carbon sequestration in plant biomass and soil under three types of livestock grazing intensity was investigated. Three area under light, medium and high grazing intensities in the Inchehbrun salt lands of Golestan province were selected. Soil and plant samples were taken in a systematic-random method. Three 100 meters length parallel transects were installed on the side which random points were selected as sampling points. Total shoot and roots biomass of selected plants were collected and then the amount of carbon stored in biomass was determined in the laboratory. Soil samples were taken at two depths, 0-20 and 20-40 cm. The amount of soil carbons later was measured in the laboratory. The results of statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the rate of carbon sequestration in plant biomass and soil foe all the three regions. The highest amount of precipitated carbon was seen in the soil. To evaluate the ecosystem service value, the method of avoided damage costs was used. The results showed that the economic value of light, medium and severe grazing areas in terms of carbon sequestration is 13.09, 10.67, 6.50 million Rials per hectare, respectively, and the highest economic value is related to light grazing sites, while the lowest belonged to the severe grazing sites. As the high level of carbon storage is in the soil it has more economic value, so the soil should be protected against erosion to maintaining the economic value of its sequestrated carbons.