Inventory of Soil Carbon Reserves in Forest-Swamp Ecosystems of the «Kuchak» Carbon Landfill (Tyumen Region)

The purpose of the study was to carry out an inventory and assessment of soil carbon reserves in the forest-swamp ecosystems of the Kuchak carbon landfill (Tyumen region). The main tasks included studying the processes of carbon accumulation and circulation in wetland ecosystems, calculating carbon stocks in soils, mortmass and roots, as well as analyzing and evaluating the data obtained. In July 2023, field studies were conducted at the Kucak carbon landfill. More than 30 full-profile soil sections were laid, from which 49 soil samples were selected, as well as samples of mortmass and roots. The physico-chemical properties of soils and the carbon content in various components of ecosystems have been determined. Carbon stocks were calculated for soils, mortmasses and roots based on soil density and carbon content. Carbon reserves in the soils of the transitional and lowland swamp sites are significantly higher compared to other sites, which is due to the high proportion of peat in the soils. Carbon reserves in the roots in the areas of the transitional swamp are lower due to the weak development of the root system of shrub vegetation. The carbon reserves in the mortmass depend on the predominance of coniferous or deciduous tree species. For example, in an area with a predominance of hardwoods, carbon reserves in the mortmass are lower. The study showed that the forest-swamp ecosystems of the Kucak carbon landfill are significant carbon reservoirs. The results can be used to develop strategies for managing low-carbon development and mitigating the effects of climate change.