Comparing Soil and Phytomass Carbon Sequestration in Two Land Uses: Rangeland and Cropland (Case Study: Mahallat, Galcheshmeh Region, Iran)

Rangelands rehabilitation have a high priority for improving the environment and mitigating climate changes in comparison to natural rangelands. This study was conducted to compare carbon sequestration in soil and phytomass between land uses of rangeland and irrigated agricultural farms in Mahallat, Markazi province, Iran. The soil was sampled by setting profiles (17 Land uses) in two depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. In the both land uses, three 50 m transects were established with four 2×2m plots sampled in each transect with random distances. Soil samples were taken from center of each transect. The contents of aboveground and underground biomass carbon, litter carbon and soil organic carbon were determined (in summer 2017). Percentage of organic carbon of plants and soil samples was measured in the laboratory. Soil bulk density, texture, acidity and electrical conductivity were determined. The carbon sequestration in phytomass and soil between rangeland and cropland was compared using independent t-test. Result showed significant effect of carbon sequestration in phytomass, Litter (P<0.01) and soil (not Significant) between rangeland and cropland land uses. Total carbon sequestration in rangeland ecosystem (59471 kg/ha) was higher than carbon sequestration in cropland (53314 kg/ha). Therefore, despite the lack of irrigation and fertilizer inputs, the amount of carbon sequestration in rangeland was higher than the cropland in the region.