Assessment of Tree and Soil Carbon Storage in Different Urban Green Space Land Uses in Arak

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran.

2 M.Sc. Student, Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran.

10.29252/aridbiom.2026.4239

Abstract

Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and climate change have highlighted the importance of urban green spaces in carbon sequestration and storage. This study aimed to evaluate and compare tree carbon storage and soil organic carbon (SOC) among different types of urban green spaces in Arak, Iran, including Shahid Rajaei Forest Park, the Nedaamatgah roadside green space, and the Amir Kabir residential area. Field sampling was conducted in July 2022. The studied tree species were Fraxinus excelsior L. and Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. Tree diameter at breast height (DBH) and height were measured, and tree biomass was estimated using allometric equations. In Shahid Rajaei Forest Park, ten 10 × 10 m sample plots were established using a systematic random sampling method. In the roadside green space, trees were selected through random sampling, whereas five 10 × 10 m sample plots were purposively established in the Amir Kabir residential area. Soil samples were collected from the 0–30 cm depth, and soil organic carbon was determined using the dry combustion method. The results indicated that soil carbon storage was significantly higher in Shahid Rajaei Forest Park than in the other two land-use types. The highest soil carbon storage was recorded in the forest park (92.68 t ha⁻¹), while the lowest value was observed in the roadside green space (63.92 t ha⁻¹). Tree carbon storage also differed significantly among land-use types and tree species. Aboveground biomass was estimated at 28.96, 15.24, and 20.58 t ha⁻¹ in the forest park, roadside green space, and residential area, respectively, whereas the corresponding belowground biomass values were 8.07, 4.21, and 6.11 t ha⁻¹. Stepwise regression analysis identified silt and clay contents as the most influential variables affecting soil carbon storage. Overall, forest parks exhibited a greater capacity for carbon storage in both tree biomass and soil compared with other urban land-use types, highlighting their important role in urban carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

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References

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Journal of Arid Biome
Volume 15, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 175-186

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