Abstract:
The complex process of absorbing carbon dioxide by leaves from the atmosphere and
storing it in the soil carbon pool is known as soil carbon sequestration. A quality
vegetation cover accelerates this process. Carbon storage in the soil helps to increase
the soil quality in several ways viz giving soil structure, and storing nutrients and
water that are required for plants and soil organisms. Therefore, carbon storage in the
soil of agricultural lands is important to enhance productivity. Thus, this study aims
to estimate the current status (as in the year 2022) of carbon storage in a selected
plantation in Deraniyagala, Sri Lanka. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services
and Trade-offs (InVEST) carbon storage and sequestration model was used for this
estimation. This model uses four carbon pools that are in the environment; carbon
stored in above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, soil, and dead organic matter.
As a function of the storage in the four carbon pools, this model estimates the total
carbon storage in the study area. The estimated mean total carbon storage in this
plantation was 200.5 t/ha ranging from 0 to 257 t/ha. Furthermore, this study shows
that carbon storage in soil is the most prominent among other carbon pools. It was
73.16 t/ha ranging from 0 to 100 t/ha. It indicates that the land owner has maintained
suitable soil conservation measures. Furthermore, the newly introduced compost project
may affect the amount of carbon stored in the soil. The findings of this study will help
to implement soil and vegetation conservation practices in agricultural lands to enhance
soil health and agricultural productivity through increasing the status of carbon storage
and finally achieve the country’s Sustainable Development Goals.
