Soil carbon sequestration potential of different forest types of aric Kutch, Gujarat with special emphasis on climate change

The Gujarat state encompasses an arid area of 62,180 Km2 of which 73% is falling under kachchh district. Kachchh is the one of the largest district in India covering an area of 45, 612 sq.km. And is part of the Kathiawar Peninsula occupying the northwestern part of Gujarat. The major objective of the present study was to analyze the physico-chemical characteristics of soil, to estimate the soil carbon pool as well to conserve the soil organic carbon pool. Major plant species which were noted at the Tapkeshwari hill in the were Salvadora persica, Capparis decidua, Capparis deciduas, Calotropis procera, Tamarix sp., Aeluropus lagopoides, Cressa cretica, Sporobolus spp. and Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica and Acacia Senegal. Different parameters were analyzed for soil samples like alkalinity, total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness, sulphure, iron, phosphorous, total organic carbon, chloride, sodium, potassium, EC, pH, TDS, and moisture content. The soil sample near P. chilensis species gives higher values in monsoon season in moisture content, pH, phosphate, TOC, SAR, iron, potassium, sodium and chloride, whereas temperature, alkalinity, Total hardness, calcium, magnesium and sulphate gives higher value in winter season. Soil samples of Acacia Senegal gives higher value of TOC in winter season. Prosopis julif- lora shows negligible value in winter season. The value of TOC in decreasing order in all species was Acacia senegal ~ Prosopis cineraria ~ Salvadora persica ~ Acacia nilotica ~ Prosaopis cineraria.