The Effect of Coniferous Forest Age on Some Soil Organic Carbon Fractions in a Semiarid Ecosystem

Year 2019, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 67 - 73, 31.12.2019

Rasim Koçyiğit , Zerrin Kasırga

Abstract

Soil organic C content in forested areas creates a greater attention for carbon sequestration and removal of atmospheric CO2 back into soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different age of pine forest (Pinus nigra) plantation on soil organic C content and some biological carbon fractions in a semiarid ecosystem of northern Turkey. Soil samples were taken from 0 – 5, 5 – 15, and 15 – 30 cm depths of different age (7, 14, and 40 years) of adjacent forested area with three replications. Soil organic C content significantly increased in 14yr forested area compared to 7 and 40yrs forested areas (p<0.05). Similarly, mineralize C content was greater in 14yr forest up to 15 cm depth. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) varied depending on forest age and the greatest MBC was observed in 7yr forest at 0 – 5 cm and 15 – 30 cm depths. The greater soil organic C in 14yr forest could be the effect of both pine forest and arable plants compared to 40yr forest where the high intensity of tree covers inhibits arable plant growth. Most of the organic materials in pine forest stay as litter debris on the soil surface and the lower amount of organic C could be transferred in mineral soils.

Keywords

Organic carbon

Supporting Institution

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Project Number

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Thanks

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