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.