Assessment of the storage potential of organic carbon in Maamora forest soils: A strategic guidance tool for reforestation | Soil and Environment 2022

Fouad Malki Laboratory "Environment, Societies and Territories", Department of Geography, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Ibn Tofail University,Kenitra,Morocco

Jamal Al Karkouri Laboratory "Environment, Societies and Territories", Department of Geography, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Ibn Tofail University,Kenitra,Morocco

Mohamed Sabir National Forestry School of Engineers,511, Sale,Morocco

Jamal Ibijbijen Unit "Environment and Valorization of Microbial and Plant Resources", Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University,Meknes,Morocco

Mohamed El Mderssa Unit "Environment and Valorization of Microbial and Plant Resources", Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco; Faculty Polydisciplinary, Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco

Hicham Ikraoun Unit "Environment and Valorization of Microbial and Plant Resources", Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University,Meknes,Morocco

Youssef Dallahi Laboratoire "Microbial Biotechnologies, Agrosciences and Environment", Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University,Marrakech,Morocco

Forest ecosystems contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Forest soils are the main carbon reservoirs of these ecosystems, whose stored carbon depends greatly on the type of vegetation. This study aimsa at the physicochemical characterization and the assessment of the soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) in different forest ecosystems of the Maamora forest located in northwestern Morocco. The analyses were carried out on samples of the superficial organo-mineral layer at 30 cm depth, under cover of cork oak, eucalyptus, maritime pine, acacia , and in open areas of cork oak stands. The results obtained showed a homogeneity of granulometry for the different samples and a significant influence, linked to the type of vegetation, on the chemical properties of the soil, particularly on the carbon stock. Soils under cork oak cover showed the highest SOCS potential with 40.12 t ha-1, followed by soils under eucalyptus, acacia and pine, with 33.04 t ha-1, 30.17 t ha-1 and 28.84 t ha-1, respectively. Open areas in cork oak formations had the lowest carbon stock of 17.58 t ha-1. The power of SOCS is greatly in favor of the native species of Maamora over introduced species and can thus be a key guiding element for forest regeneration and reforestation strategies.