Study of landscape structure to estimate carbon balance of mountain ecosystems

Abstract

Relevance. Differences in the dynamics of the carbon balance between mountain ecosystems of altitudinal belts and within them are enormous. This is due to the climate and topography with its altitudinal, exposure, substrate and other differences. Point measurements of the carbon balance need to ensure that the extrapolation of measurements is representative. The aim of the work is to identify the landscape structure at different levels of differentiation for the subsequent assessment of carbon balance conditions. Alpine landscapes on the carbon transect in the Chechen Republic were taken as a key site. Methods. Field landscape mapping and profiling served as the main methods. The results of the landscape cover classification based on the Sentenel-2 image, which were verified during field surveys, were also applied. At the same time, methods of geoinformation analysis were used. Phytomass calculations were carried out on the basis of field measurements with correlation according to literature data. Results. As studies on the profile and in the key area showed, at a relatively short distance, the conditions of carbon dynamics change significantly. This is due to changes in the conditions of heat and moisture exchange, soil fertility, exogenous processes and anthropogenic load. Mapping landscape structure is an important step in delimiting the different conditions that drive carbon dynamics. At the same time, the scheme for deciphering and classifying high-resolution images can serve as an informative basis for landscape mapping. Contrast under conditions of carbon dynamics persists at different levels of landscape differentiation: from regional to local. The most contrasting boundaries of carbon dynamics in the high-mountain section of the carbon polygon of the Chechen Republic are the landscape boundaries between landscape types: mountainmeadow, mountain-forest, mountain-forest-meadow, mountain-meadow-steppe. Mountain-forest broad-leaved forests contain more organic carbon in the above-ground profile (more than 100 t/ha), while in mountain-steppe and mountain-meadow landscapes organic carbon accumulates in soils (tens of t/ha). Disruption of the natural cover leads to a decrease in the intensity of the carbon balance.