Estimation of leaf biomass and leaf carbon sequestration of Pistacia atlantica in National Botanical Garden of Iran

NationalBotanical Gardenof Iran (N.B.G.I) consists of different native and exotic collections. Pistacia atlantica is one of the main species which has remarkable density in native collections. Woody species existed in national botanical gardens throughout the world have effective role to absorb CO₂ from atmosphere. In this research, leaf biomass and leaf carbon sequestration of Pistacia atlantica was studied in N.B.G.I. At first, 30 trees were selected using stratified random sampling method and quantitative parameters were measured. All leaves of 1/4 crown area were gathered, weighted and dried. Enough quantity of leaves was burned in electrical kiln to calculate the Carbon storage. Finally, amount of atmosphere CO₂ absorption was determined and allometric regressions were calculated. Based on results, mean of leaf biomass, mean of leaf Carbon sequestration and mean of atmosphere CO₂ absorption were 69.4, 26.2 and 96.3 kg per hectare, respectively. Diameter difference had no effect on leaf biomass and leaf Carbon sequestration. There was good relationship between mean diameter of crown with leaf biomass and leaf Carbon sequestration.