Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential and Microbial Biomass Activity in Different Agro-eco Systems: A Comparative Study of Agricultural, Forest, Shrub and Grassland Land Uses

The rise in atmospheric CO2 due to global temperature rise necessitates a targeted strategy to reduce CO2 concentration. The current study aimed to understand how C sequestration occurs in soils from various agro-ecosystems by using MBC and key soil physicochemical properties. Soil samples from various land types in the Pothwar Plateau, Punjab, Pakistan, were collected at two depths —0–15 cm and 15–30 cm. Physicochemical parameters analyzed included electrical conductivity, pH, TOC, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter, soil moisture, bulk density, and MBC. Results indicated significant variations in MBC across agro-ecosystems, with forest soils exhibiting the highest values (181.6 µg/g in summer and 176.18 µg/g in winter), followed by shrub land (143.57 µg/g), agricultural land (137.83 µg/g) and grassland (96.07 µg/g). Seasonal differences were observed, with MBC levels higher in summer compared to winter. C sequestration was more pronounced in the upper soil layer (0–15 cm) than in the subsurface (15–30 cm). Forest ecosystems significantly contribute to C sequestration, a crucial aspect of climate change mitigation, and are recommended for large-scale reforestation and sustainable land management practices.