Soil organic carbon in the subarctic : A study in the differences between landcovers in northern Sweden

Sammanfattning

This study investigates the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) in a subarctic part of northern Sweden, that is located below the mountain tree line. It uses different landcover classifications to pinpoint where the highest stocks of SOC can be found, with soil moisture and slope. The study also looks at the difference between the organic and minerogenic soil layers to locate where most SOC is stored. The findings show that landcover classifications with high soil moisture and low slope; graminoid meadow, willow, and semi-wetland, contain the highest concentrations of mean SOC. This is further backed by previous research that shows that waterlogged classifications decrease decomposition and increases SOC stock. Landcover classifications with low soil moisture and a high slope; dry heath, and birch forest, contain moderately to significantly lower concentrations of mean SOC, because of an increased decomposition. The results show a spread of mean SOC between 3.4 ± 1.5 kg C m^−2 to 19.7 ± 10.6 kg C m^−2. Additionally, organic soil layers contained higher amounts of SOC than minerogenic soil layers, because of decomposition rates.