Carbon Sequestration Capability of Check Dams (Case Study: Nehzatabad Watershed of Kohgiluyeh County in Iran)

Aims: Check-dams are one of the common structures to controlling soil erosion in Iran. Most of the studies related to check-dams are in the field of their main function, i.e. soil and water conservation, but in this study, we evaluated their capability in carbon sequestration, which has received very little attention. Material & Methods: This study, which was conducted in the Nehzatabad watershed in Kohgiluyeh County, using the sediments deposited in 11 check-dams, the performance of these structures in Carbon Sequestration during the years 2017 to 2018 has also been investigated. The volume of sediments deposited behind the check-dams was measured, and then the resulting sediment yield was measured and then estimated for three different sediment trapping coefficients. Findings: Results show that mean amount of measured sediment yield in the study check-dams is 0.13 t ha-1 y-1 which compared to mean annual soil erosion in Iran (16 t ha-1 y-1), soil erosion in the studied watershed is not very complicated. The estimated mean values for sediment yield in different check-dams are 0.26, 1.69 and 3.59 t ha-1 y-1 for different TE coefficient.The mean of SOC deposited in check-dams is 20637.79 g, which is equivalent to 12.9 and 2.16 m2 of oak forest in carbon sequestration and carbon dioxide absorption, respectively. Conclusion: By building a large number of these dams in watersheds while controlling erosion and sedimentation, it is possible to deposit considerable carbon in these sediments and prevent the release of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

Carbon Sequestration Capability of Check Dams (Case Study: Nehzatabad Watershed of Kohgiluyeh County in Iran) Keywords:

Soil Erosion , Sediment Control , SOC , Carbon Dioxide , Climate Change