Authors
1
university of Duhok
2
Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, University of Zakho,
,
Document Type : Research Paper
Abstract
Abstract
This study aims to estimate the biomass and carbon sequestration potential of naturally occurring Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) in the trunk and branches across three distinct sites in the Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. At each site, a total of 43–60 trees were measured to develop robust allometric models for estimating tree biomass and carbon storage, using diameter at breast height (DBH) and total tree height as key predictors. Site-specific variables such as elevation, slope, and soil characteristics, which can significantly influence biomass accumulation and carbon dynamics, were also taken into account. Tree selection encompassed a range of size classes and age groups to ensure a representative sampling of the natural forest structure and growth variability. Carbon content was estimated by applying a widely accepted carbon conversion factor of 0.5 to the calculated dry biomass. The findings reveal that trees in Zawita store substantially more carbon, with an average of 326.7 kg for a tree with a 40 cm DBH, compared to 123.6 kg in Atrosh and 157.9 kg in Belkef. The highest overall carbon stock in trunk and branches was recorded in Zawita, reaching up to 577.6 kg for a tree with 50 cm DBH, indicating superior sequestration capacity and higher biomass productivity relative to the other sites. These results carry important implications for forest management, carbon accounting, and climate change mitigation strategies in the region. Moreover, the study provides a valuable baseline for long-term ecological monitoring, sustainable forestry planning, and carbon stock assessments. By emphasizing the ecological and climate-related importance of natural pine forests in semi-arid mountainous environments, the research supports conservation initiatives and underscores the role of Pinus brutia as a vital carbon sink contributing to both regional sustainability and global climate goals.
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