Assessment of Underground Soil Carbon of Kalachitta Range in Attock District

The carbon cycle has great importance to support life on earth. In this cycle, organic carbon which present in the soil is a vital element in the fertility of land. Which produces many organic as well as mineral nutrients in the growth of plants, improve the soil structure and its biological health and it improves the physical health of the soil. Study was conducted inside the Potohar plateau which is situated from 33.770 to 340 north latitude and from 71.450 to 730 east longitudes. Its elevation was about 1800 feet in eastern region of 3,531 feet in western part just near the Indus River ridge. The western left bank of river Indus experienced the lowest forest strip, elevation of 820 feet in altitude. The area is dominated by four plant species Olea ferruginea, Acacia modesta, Monotheca buxifolia and Dodonea viscosa. 20 Sample plots were selected randomly from various sites in which 180 samples were collected with the help of soil auger in two portions, i.e. 0-15 cm and 16-30 cm. at a distance of 1m and 3m and 5m from the plant and in a vertical extent of 0-15.00cm,16-30.00 cm and 31-45.00 cm, Olea ferruginea soil showed slightly higher total soil organic carbon as compared to Acacia modesta soil.