Study of carbon stocks in agroforestry systems of district Peshawar, Khyber pukhtunkhwa , Pakistan

The current studies show that the agroforestry system could be used as a prime source of carbon pool. Up to 12-228 tons ha-1, comprising mean of 95 tons ha-1, can be stored via the agroforestry systems. Agroforestry systems with different trees can deal with climate change more efficiently and sequester more carbon. The crops that consist of trees can raise stocks of carbon to many folds while making in comparison with the single crop system. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa agro forestry is practiced in various models and shapes from the protection of naturally growing trees to the artificial cultivation of trees on agricultural lands. The bulk density of the silvo pastoraloral system is 1.346 gm/cm3which is more than the agrisilvisystem which is found to be 1.251 gm/cm3. The lower bulk density in the AgriSilvisystem showed less compaction of soil resulting in enhanced vegetation. The bulk density was founded with the help of soil particle analysis. To calculate soil organic carbon it is assumed that total organic matter contains 58% organic carbon contents or a relation i.e. organic carbon =SOM% multiplied by 0.58 statistical Analyses was conducted. Higher SOC indicates AgriSilvi system shows fertility of the soil. The mean value of soil organic carbon for agrisilviculture system is 2.65 while that of the Silvopastoral system is 2.23. The mean value of SOM for agrisilviculture system was found to be 4.56 and for Silvopastoral system it is 3.84.The percentage of SOM was determined with the help of loss on the ignition method. The higher SOM in the agrisilvi system helps in an increase in the productivity of the soil. The enhanced density of carbon in the fields of agriculture particularly depends upon the diversity of high trees those results in an enhancement of biomass and the production of plants. In soil carbon stock the fall of litter also plays its role. In above-ground production, it plays aprominent role in the connection of soil with vegetation.