QUANTIFICATION OF SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AT DIFFERENT SOIL DEPTHS IN BAGH, AJK

Abstract

Soil carbon sequestration plays a critical role in mitigating climate change while enhancing soil quality and ecosystem sustainability. This study quantified the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and carbon sequestration potential of soils in Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) to assess SOC concentration and bulk density, which were subsequently used to estimate soil carbon stocks. The results indicated SOC contents of 3.0% in the 0–15 cm layer and 3.75% in the 15–30 cm layer, reflecting substantial carbon storage in subsurface soils. Bulk density values were lower in surface soils and increased with depth, influencing the overall carbon stock estimation. Carbon stocks were calculated using standard soil carbon stock equations, demonstrating that deeper soil layers contributed significantly to total soil carbon sequestration. The findings highlight the considerable potential of soils in the Bagh region to act as effective carbon sinks, particularly under appropriate land management practices. This study provides baseline data for regional carbon accounting and emphasizes the importance of sustainable soil management strategies to enhance long-term carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation in mountainous ecosystems of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.