Abstract:
Land use systems play an essential role in organic carbon storage, as well as in offsetting CO2
concentration in the atmosphere. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the effects of
different types of land use and occupation on soil organic carbon stocks in the Ghardaïa region.
In this context, the aim of this study was to estimate and analyze total carbon stocks in terms of
their distribution between different types of land use, and to fill the data gap in southern Algeria
with regard to soil carbon stocks. The study was based on the selection of three stations
(cropland, forest and pastoral land) in the Ghardaïa region. A set of soil samples was taken (43
samples) at a depth of 0 to 30cm. A series of analyses were carried out on all these samples,
including pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter by two methods (LOI and W.B). The
results reveal that the soils have an alkaline pH (pH< 8), can be too salty (0.2 <CE< 4 dS/m)
and a low percentage of oxidizable (W.B) (0.01 <MO< 0.6%) or non-oxidizable (LOI) organic
matter (0.2 <MO< 5%) and a low organic carbon content <1 in these arid zones. Total carbon
stock has decreased in the order: Forests (FOR) > Pastoral (P) > Cropland (CP). Further
research efforts are needed to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms and to assess other
factors that may influence carbon storage in these fragile ecosystems.
