COMPARISON OF SOIL ORGANIC CARBON STOCK OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM AND PADDY AGRICULTURAL LAND IN SATHURUKONDAN , BATTICALOA DISTRICT

Abstract

Present study was aimed to assess and compare the soil organic carbon stock of mangrove ecosystem and paddy agricultural land in Sathurukondan. This study was carried out from July 2023 to December 2023. Soil samples were collected from both study sites at 30cm depth form top layer and further divided into three subsamples for the analysing purpose. Sampling locations also marked while sample collection. Soil organic carbon content (%) was estimated by using Walkley and Black titration method manually and soil organic carbon stock was calculated. One way ANOVA statistical results revealed that there is a significance differences (P < 0.05) in the mean soil organic carbon stock of mangrove ecosystem and paddy agricultural land. The mean soil organic carbon stock of the mangrove ecosystem in Sathurukondan is 44.16 + 7 .56 tClhain 0 - 10 cm soil layer, 36.83 + 12.27 tClhain 10 -20 cm soil layer and 35.18 + 8.32tc/hain20 - 30 cm soil layer. The mean soil organic carbon stock of the paddy agricultural land in Sathurukondan (near to mangrove ecosystem) is 22.24 + 8.1 8.tClha in 0 - l0 cm soil layer, 19.96 + 6.15 tClha in l0 - 20 cm soil layer and21.29 + 4.57 tClha in 20 -30 cm soil layer. The soil organic maffers take major partin the organic carbon stock of soil. Finding elucidated that higher soil organic carbon stock was recorded in mangrove ecosystem, it is higher than all three layers of soil when compare to respected layers of paddy agricultural lanrl soil. Mangrove ecosystem known as Blue carbon ecosystem. They can absorb carbon from atmosphere and store it with their biomass. Due to human activities mangrove ecosystem face threats and destruction of mangroves are highly effect the soil organic carbon accumulation. In the paddy agricultural land fertilizer usage, tillage, climate also change the soil organic carbon accumulation. Appropriate methods of mitigating by raising awareness to save the mangrove environment in order to preserve carbon sequestration is important.