Organic Carbon Stock in Pasture Landscapes on the Territory of the Central Balkan National Park

DIANA KARATOTEVA; LYUDMILA MALINOVA
University of Forestry, BG-1797 Sofia, Bulgaria

Abstract

Karatoteva, D. and L. Malinova, 2017. Organic carbon stock in pasture landscapes on the territory of the Central Balkan National Park. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (5): 787–792

Aim of study is to determine the org. C stock in georeferenced sample plots on the territory of the Central Balkan National Park for the purposes of long-term observations and assessment of its change under the influence of natural and/or anthropogenic factors. The org. C stock was determined in 17 sample plots, arranged in pastures from the low-mountain, mid-mountain and high-mountain landscapes. The impact of the altitude on the org. C stock, bulk density of fine earth, total nitrogen and the ratio org. C/N was assessed within the range from 535 m to 1878 m. A positive correlation was determined between the org. C stock and the change in altitude, as well as a negative one between the bulk density of soils and the altitude. Significant differences in the org. C stock were determined according to the soil units. The results of the org. C stock in soils from georeferenced locations from low, mid and high-mountain landscapes can be used to develop time data series for the purposes of long-term observations and assessments. 

Key words: organic carbon stock; pasture; monitoring; org.C/N; time series; national inventory

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