Carbon storage in shelterbelts in the agroforestry systems of the Bačka Palanka area-Serbia

Abstract

Field shelterbelts as agroforestry practice provides numerous ecosystem services. Carbon capture and storage potential in biomass and soil is among regulating services shelterbelts provide. Designing shelterbelts to address the various demands and provide services, requests special attention to choosing structural and spatial characteristics of shelterbelts, and species selection for shelterbelts. This paper presents the research results of C storage in 20-years old shelterbelts established on Gleyic Phaeozem in the area of Bačka Palanka (Serbia). Investigated shelterbelts were consisted of the most commonly used species for shelterbelt establishment in Serbia: Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.), poplar (Populus x euramericana (Dode) Guin. cv. "Serotina") and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). The diameter at breast height (d) and the height (h) of all trees in studied shelterbelts were measured. Carbon stock in biomass was estimated according to IPCC (2003) methodology. Soil profiles were opened in studied shelterbelts with soil sampling carried out at fixed depths of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-40 cm. Assessment of carbon storage in soil was performed according to IPCC (2003). According to the research results, living biomass C stock in 20-years old Siberian elm and poplar shelterbelts per tree is almost the same 0.333 t per tree and 0.300 t per tree, respectively. In black locust shelterbelt carbon stock is considerable less 0.111 t per tree. However, in species selection for shelterbelts some characteristics should take into account such as adaptability and suitability to the environmental conditions, longevity and their impact on crops that are grown in the sheltered fields, as well as the natural potential vegetation communities of the area. The results of this study indicate that the poplar is preferred species than the Siberian elm in given environmental conditions. The average carbon stock in the soil of studied shelterbelts in a layer 0-40 cm is 9.33 kg m-2 C.