CARBON STOCKS IN SOILS OF PROTECTIVE FORESTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN

R. R. Baiturina^*, L. R. Salimyanova, A. N. Khasanov

Bashkir State Agrarian University
50-letiya Oktyabrya St., 34, Ufa 450001, Russian Federation

 

^*E-mail: aspirant_bsau@mail.ru

Received: 06.04.2026

Revised: 11.06.2026

Accepted: 19.06.2026

The article provides quantitative estimates of organic carbon stocks in the soils and forest litter of protective forests in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The aim of the study is to quantify carbon pools in soils and forest litter of the main forest-forming species in the region. The research objects were stands of the Dmitrievskoe and Ufa Forest Districts dominated by small-leaved lime, silver birch, aspen, Siberian larch and common ash. Field sampling and laboratory analysis revealed that soil organic carbon stocks range from 3.4 kg C m^–² (light gray forest soils) to 16.4 kg C m^–² (dark gray forest soils). Dark gray forest soils and chernozems accumulate more than 80% of the total carbon stock in the forest district. Forest soils accumulate 17.8% more carbon compared to similar soils in non-forested areas. Forest litter contributes significantly to the carbon balance: maximum stocks were recorded in larch stands (7.3 t C ha^-1), minimum – in ash-dominated stands (3.78 t C ha^-1). The removal of forest litter was experimentally proven to lead to a statistically significant decrease in humus content in the upper 10-cm layer by 34% and a twofold reduction in earthworm abundance. The study confirms the key role of forest ecosystems, especially mature forests on fertile soils, in carbon sequestration and emphasizes the need to preserve forest litter as a crucial component of the carbon pool. The obtained data are of practical importance for the development of regional forest management programs aimed at mitigating climate change impacts.

Keywords: soil organic carbon, forest litter, carbon balance, protective forests, urban forests, soil fertility, Republic of Bashkortostan, carbon sequestration.

 

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