Effect of Shelterbelt and Land Management on Soil Carbon Sequestration in Shelterbelt-pasture System at Charles Sturt University, Orange Campus New South Wales Australia

Abstract

Measurements of soil organic carbon (SOC) levels were made on soils from 0.00–0.10m and 0.10-0.20m soil depth that were collected from three 12 - years old shelterbelts integrated with pastures in new South wales, Australia to determine whether there was any effect of shelterbelts on SOC levels in the adjacent pasture. The samples were collected in the spring (September 2011) and autumn (March 2012) at increasing distance from the midpoint of shelterbelts. To determine the SOC level in the sample, two permanganate oxidisable methods were used: the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and labile carbon analysis method. Regression analysis of our result indicated no significant difference (P>0.005) in SOC along the sampling points in an increasing distance from the midpoint of the shelterbelts in both seasons. However, there was a significant difference (P<0.005) in SOC level between the two depths. During autumn at 0.00-0.10m depth the TOC was higher at Weston 1 (1.386%) than College 4 and Leeds Parade site with 1.146% and 1.11% respectively. For the same depth, Weston 1 had 0.061% labile C and 0.054% labile C for both College 4 and Leeds Parade sites. This may be attributed to the topographic difference among the sites.SOC was higher during autumn sampling than spring sampling in all three sites and at both depths due to microbial activity, higher vegetation and warmer climate in autumn.