EVALUATION OF CARBON BUDGET BY REEDS IN BRACKISH SALT MARSH

Abstract

 The purpose of this study was to determine the biomass, production rate, and growth characteristics of reed over a nine-year period in Yodo River brackish salt marsh. Furthermore we conducted decomposition rate of leaves and steams to evaluate outfolw and decomposition in the carbon budget. The biomass of reeds have seasonal and annual variations, increased from spring to summer and decreased in winter. The growth and decomposition rate of reeds were high from spring to early summer. The decomposition rate of leaves and stems was correlated with soil temperature, and the decomposition rate of leaves was higher than that of stems, but all leaves were decomposed throughout the year, while stems remained undecomposed. The carbon storage rate of reeds, including production, respiration, outflow and decomposition processes, was 627 gC/m²/year, and the annual carbon storage rate in the saltmarsh investigated was estimated to be 26.3 tC.