Journal of Rangeland

This study was conducted to investigate whether different livestock grazing intensities and exclusion could affect rangeland total carbon (C) storage in the Bijar protected area, Kurdistan. Carbon storage in above- and below-ground of samples collected from 1 m² plots established along the 50 meters transects were measured. The results showed that the plant community composition has been gradually changed from perennial grasses ( Festuca ovina and Bromus tomentellus ) in  exclusion to F. ovine and annual species ( Vaccaria pyramidata) in low grazing pressure and  Artemisia sieberi and Aegilops sp in heavily grazed sites.  The biomass C storage was also decreased significantly under livestock grazing conditions (P< 0.05). The total biomass C storages in moderate and heavy livestock grazing pressure were decreased by 45/6 and 75/5 percent compared to exclusion area. Result showed that  organic carbon in grazing exclusion area was 189.1 ton/ha, in low grazing area  107.4 ton/ha and in heavily grazed sites 46.4 ton/ha. We also found that more than 98 % of total C sequestration occurred in soil organic carbon content. The carbon content in below ground biomass was also greater than above ground biomass.  Our results also suggest that 43-year continuous moderate and heavy livestock grazing result to 1.9 and 3.3 ton/ha decrease in organic carbon content per year.