Variation in soil carbon stocks with depth along a toposequence in a sub-humid climate in North Africa (Skikda, Algeria)

摘要

Deep soil carbon (> 30 cm) is the primary pool of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, deep SOC is often not included in carbon inventories or management strategies, especially in North-Africa. The objective of the study was to determine the distribution and the main factors governing SOC storage along a representative toposequence in North-Eastern Algeria. The soil organic matter (SOM) was characterized by SOC content, carbon stocks, particle size distribution and mineralization potential.