Effect of urban reforestation on carbon sequestration in arid soils using remote sensing technology

Subject Areas : Geospatial systems development

Behnoush Abbas Nejad ¹ , Seyed Jamaloddin Khajedin ²

1 - MSc. of Range Management, College of Natural Resources, University of Isfahan
2 - Prof. College of Natural Resources, University of Isfahan

Received: 2013-07-23 Accepted : 2014-03-13 Published : 2014-08-23

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Abstract :

In this study, the effect of urban reforestation on carbon sequestration in arid soils was evaluated, using the Quick Bird satellite image. Soil samples were collected (0-15, 15-30 cm) from the field visits and soil organic carbon content of the samples was measured.  Correlation coefficients between the satellite bands and vegetation indices with the results obtained from the analysis of geospatial data and data analysis using regression method, the best fit model for preparation the soil carbon sequestration maps were obtained.  The results of verified analysis showed the accuracy of the produced maps and corresponded well with the ground sampling points. The survey maps prepared to show that the reforestation on barren land area in Isfahan is caused of increased carbon sequestration in the dry land soil. Furthermore, a higher rate of carbon sequestration in the surface soil layers and decreases with increasing depth. Depending on the species planted in soil, the rate of carbon sequestration is varying. Soil carbon sequestration in areas that have been cultivated conifers species is greater than the hardwoods species.