Iranian Journal of Forest

Iranian Journal of Forest

Comparison of the effect of two different oak (Quercus infectoria Oliv.) stands on carbon stocks of above ground, soil and litter in the forests of West Azerbaijan (case study: Piranshahr and Sardasht)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
J Henareh 1
Y Iranmanesh 2
M Pourhashemi 3
S Ghasempour 4
1 Assistant Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Dept. West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Urmia, I.R. Iran.
2 Associate Prof., Natural Resources Dept. Chaharmahl-Bakhtiari Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (AREEO), Shahrkord, I.R. Iran.
3 Prof., Forest Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agriculture, Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.
4 Research Expert, Forests and Rangelands Research Dept. West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (AREEO), Urmia, Iran.
10.22034/ijf.2024.426432.1955
Abstract
Introduction: Forests are one of the most important carbon sinks in the world and play an important role in mitigating climate change. The Zagros forests due to the coverage of oak and other species stands provide a wide range of important and key environmental functions, including carbon sequestration and storage. In this research, the carbon storage in the forest above-ground, litter and soil of two one-hectare sample plots in two stands with different conditions, including Darsarvin Sardasht (30% canopy cover, coppice with standard) and Piranshahr Pardanan (90% canopy cover and all of trees were of coppice), in the Zagros forests of West Azarbaijan Province was compared.
Material and Methods: After expert investigations and forest survey, a square sample plot of one hectare (dimensions 100 x 100 meters), using 100% inventory the research was carried out. To calculate above-ground carbon stock, the variables of average crown diameter, diameter at breast height, total height, trunk height, crown height, collar diameter, crown starting diameter and crown density were measured and recorded for all the trees in the sample plot. In order to estimate the biomass and carbon storage, the allometric equations of oak were used for single-stem and coppice trees. Furthermore, five soil samples were systematically taken from a depth of 0-30 cm in each sample plot. Ten microplots of 0.5 square meters were also randomly and regularly measured in each sample plot. Then, the litter in them was separated into Coarse Woody Litters and Fine Woody Litters, and their dry weight and carbon content were measured. In order to measure the percentage of organic carbon in litter and plant samples, the method of combustion in an electric furnace was used. Soil organic carbon was measured by Black–Walkley method and soil Bulk density was determined by Clod Method.
Results: In the Darsarvin sample plot, Sardasht, 277 trees per hectare were recorded, of which 212 trees were seed-origin  and 65 trees were coppice-origin. In the Perdanan sample plot, Piranshahr, 747 trees were recorded per hectare, and all the them in this sample plot are coppice-origin. The biomass and carbon stock of the trees in the sample plots were determined. The amount of above-ground biomass of trees in Pardanan and Darsarvin sample plots was calculated as 53.35 and 36.93 tons per hectare, respectively. Also, the amount of above-ground carbon stock was obtained in Pardanan and Darsarvin plots, 25.99 and 17.93 tons per hectare, respectively. The comparison of soil carbon stock between the Pardanan and Darsarvin sample plots showed that the average soil organic carbon stock in the Pardanan sample plot is 154.24 and in the Darsarvin sample plot is 121.96 tons per hectare. In terms of litter carbon stock, the amount of Coarse Woody Litters and Fine Woody Litters carbon stock in Pardanan sample plot is 0.66 and 3.75 tons per hectare, respectively. Coarse Woody Litters and Fine Woody Litters carbon stock in the Darsarvin sample plot was 0.23 and 2.83 tons per hectare, respectively.
Conclusion: The results show that the effect of stands conditions, diversity and density of vegetation canopy cover and forest management is very important in the carbon stock of the forest ecosystem, and on this basis, the difference of about 41 tons per hectare of the total carbon stock in the Pardanan sample plot (184.64 tons per hectare) compared to the Darsarvin sample plot (142.96 tons per hectare) was observed in this study. Based on the results of this research, it is suggested to prevent the cutting and collection of litter and branches, in order to increase the storage of carbon stock of above ground, soil and litter.
Keywords
Allometry
Biomass
Carbon sink
Litter
West Azerbaijan

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Forest
Volume 16, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Autumn 2024
Pages 371-385

  • Receive Date 26 November 2023
  • Revise Date 30 December 2023
  • Accept Date 11 February 2024