Seasonal states and carbon dynamics in key areas of the carbon polygon in the Chechen Republic, Russia

The aim of the work was to analyze the relationship between carbon dynamics and changes in the states of natural territorial complexes in two key areas of the carbon polygon in the Chechen Republic from the standpoint of landscape and landscape‐geophysical approaches. The work was carried out at two sites of the carbon polygon in the Chechen Republic: in Chernorechye (the Chechen plain under water‐protective broad‐leaved forests, about 169 m above sea level) and Roshni‐Chu (low‐ mountain broad‐leaved forests, about 450 m above sea level).Methods: landscape‐geophysical description of geomasses, geohorizons and vertical structures in key areas, detailed microclimatic studies using installed loggers with temperature and humidity sensors, observations of the state of the vegetation cover, biomass dynamics, determination of mortmass fractions on the soil surface, as well as humus and basic nutrients.The relationship between carbon dynamics and changes in seasonal states of natural‐territorial complexes is expressed in changes in landscape‐ geophysical parameters: the ratio of geomasses, geohorizons and vertical structures. Seven seasonal states of natural‐territorial complexes with different carbon dynamics have been identified. Two of them are key to understanding the long‐term carbon balance. These states are determined by the dynamics of accumulation and decomposition of mortmass. The ways of changing the intensity of carbon deposition based on the creation of new phytocenoses, increasing soil fertility, including by optimising the carbon and nitrogen ratio have been identified. A more radical way – mortmass utilisation – requires detailed research and consideration of environmental consequences.