Assessing Carbon Storage Potential of Forested Wetland Soils in Two Physiographic Provinces of Northern Virginia, USA

Abstract

This study assessed the soil carbon storage potential in terms of the total carbon (TC) and total carbon stocks (TC stocks) and associated soil physicochemical properties (i.e., soil pH, bulk density (Db), and gravimetric soil moisture (GSM)) for four forested wetlands in the urbanized region of Northern Virginia (NOVA). The study sites were balanced between the two physiographic provinces of the region (Piedmont vs. Coastal Plain); at each site, soils were sampled and analyzed (n = 180) at three depth intervals (0–10 cm; 10–20 cm; 20–30 cm). There was no significant difference in TC stocks between physiographic provinces (p > 0.05); however, wetland soils had higher TC contents at the Coastal Plain (4.32 ± 0.41%) than in Piedmont (2.57 ± 0.22%; p < 0.05). Both Db and GSM significantly differed by physiographic province and were highly correlated to TC, indicating that the TC variability is strongly explained by Db (R2 = 0.38) or GSM (R2 = 0.39), respectively (p < 0.01 for all). These outcomes highlight the capacity of urban forested wetlands to store carbon, especially in their topsoil (top 10 cm). Elucidating the carbon storage potentials of forested wetlands in an urbanized landscape may assist with future efforts to combat urban carbon emissions.

Hyperspectral Inversion of Soil Carbon and Nutrient Contents in the Yellow River Delta Wetland

“…Soils are unparalleled in terms of their complexity and dynamics, and they contain minerals, organic matter, innumerable microorganisms, and varying amounts of air, water, and essential nutrients [1][2][3]. Soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are important elements required for plant physiological processes in terrestrial ecosystems, and they have a great impact on the structure and function of ecosystems, along with being important indicators of soil nutrient levels [4][5][6][7].…”