Ecosystem Transformation (), 30-47

Variability of organic carbon stocks in soils and vegetation of the Highland (Inner Mountainous) Dagestan

Salikhov Sh.K. , Yakhiaev M.A., Abdulagatov I.M., Mallaliev M.M.

This study evaluates the relationship between soil-climatic differences and the accumulation of soil organic carbon (Corg) stocks in the soil cover of an orographically enclosed intermountain zone on slopes of contrasting exposure within the Dutsnabek and Chakulabek mountain ranges (Eastern Caucasus). The research was conducted at the “Tsudakhar” experimental site of the Mountain Botanical Garden, Dagestan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences (1100–1250 m a.s.l.), under a protected (reserve) regime. Corg accumulation was analyzed on the arid southern slope (mountain meadow-steppe soil) and the humid northern slope (mountain meadow-forest soil). Vegetation cover on the southern slope (Dutsnabek) was 10% lower, and species richness was 36 units lower compared to the northern slope (Chakulabek). Corg content in the top 40 cm soil layer ranged from 1.42% to 2.11%, with organic carbon stocks on the southern slope being 45.23% lower than on the northern slope. Additionally, the southern slope exhibited significantly lower biomass accumulation: 48.40% less in green biomass and 65.28% less in root biomass. Significant correlations (according to Chedoke scale) were found between Corg stocks and vegetation productivity indicators as well as soil physical properties: positive correlations with soil moisture and negative correlations with bulk density and temperature.

Sh. K. Salikhov
Precaspian Institute of Biological Resources, Dagestan Federal Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences
M. Gadzhiev St. 45, Makhachkala, 367000 Russia

salichov72@mail.ru

M. A. Yakhiaev
Precaspian Institute of Biological Resources, Dagestan Federal Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences
M. Gadzhiev St. 45, Makhachkala, 367000 Russia


I. M. Abdulagatov
Dagestan State University
M. Gadzhiev St. 43a, Makhachkala, 367000 Russia

Institute of Geothermal Problems and Renewable Energy, Russian Academy of Sciences
I. Shamil Prospect St. 39a., Makhachkala, 367030 Russia


M. M. Mallaliev
Mountain Botanical Garden, Dagestan Federal Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences
M. Gadzhiev St. 45, Makhachkala, 367000 Russia

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