Effects of the height and geographical aspects on potential of soil carbon sequestration in Kermanshah, Iran

Main phenomenon of climate change that is harmful for human being, increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Regarding to the potential of carbon storage in soil and plant tissues, this approach has a serious interest in recent decades. Due to the different climate zones in IRAN, share and amount of carbon sequestration in any of these areas need more contemplation. Therefore, the ability of soil carbon sequestration of mountain pastures in Kermanshah Province was studied in 3 height and 4 geographical aspects. Then, soil samples were taken from the areas that Astragalus gossypinus and Astragalus parrowianus grew at two depths of 0-30cm and 30-60cm. The amount of organic carbon, bulk density, electrical conductivity, pH, moisture content and soil texture in both depths of each soil profile were measured. Stepwise regression results also showed that texture parameters, bulk density and pH, respectively, were the most important factors affecting on soil organic carbon. Based on the results of data analysis using a completely randomized factorial design, significant differences were observed at 1% significance level between the two species and also in height between the classes and geographical aspect on soil carbon sequestration rates. Comparison of results based on SNK tests also indicates that, biggest amount of carbon sequestration taking place in the maximum height in the geographic north aspect. Also according to the results can be stated that capability of soil carbon sequestration in Astragalus parrowianus is more than Astragalus gossypinus.