Mangrove species zonation and soil redox state,sulphide concentration and salinity in Gazi Bay (Kenya), a preliminary study

The relationship between soil redox state, sulphide concentration, salinity and spatial patterns of mangrove species distribution was investigated in the mangrove forest of Gazi Bay (Kenya). Field measurements were conducted to examine the relationship between species distribution along a band transect of 280m and soil redox potential (Eh) and sulphide patterns, as well as the indirectly related (through flooding regimes) soil salinity. Of the three major species Avicenniamarina, Ceriops tagal and Rhizophoramucronata present along the transect, only the distribution of the latter correlated with the measured soil variables, R. mucronata being absent from the lessreduced zone with high salinity. Bruguieragymnorhiza and Heritieralittoralis occur in minor populations, they are restricted to the saline, sulphidepoor and lessreduced substrates. From the results it is concluded that soil redox potential (Eh), sulphide concentration and salinity may contribute to structure mangroves through the distribution of dominant species, however in combination with other environmental conditions and processes of vegetation dynamics.     

Dynamics of soil carbon stock,total nitrogen,and associated soil properties since the conversion of Acacia woodland to managed pastureland,parkland agroforestry,and treeless cropland in the Jido Komolcha District,southern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

In the arid, low biomass producing areas of Ethiopia, Acacia woodlands suffered a severe degradation due to exploitation for various uses, and conversion to grazing and cultivated lands. However, little is known on the impact of agricultural land uses on soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) stocks, and other soil quality indicators. This study was planned to evaluate SOC and TN stock changes under parkland agroforestry (PAF), managed pastureland (MPL), and treeless cropland (TLCL) regimes by considering the remnant protected woodland (PWL) as a reference. We found that SOC and TN stocks were significantly higher in PWL and MPL areas. Conversion of Acacia woodlands to MPL, PAF, and TLCL resulted in the loss of SOC stock by 23, 50, and 56%, respectively. Higher SOC and TN stocks were found under PWL (144.3 Mg ha^?1) and MPL (108.2 Mg ha^?1). Significant changes in available phosphorous (P), exchangeable cations, and cation exchangeable capacity were observed following the woodland conversion to different land use types. Available P was the highest in MPL compared with the other land use regimes. Within the study area, the MPL land use type was the best land management option for protecting SOC and TN soil stocks.     

Influence of waterlogging on carbon stock variability at hillslope scale in a beech forest (Fougères forest — West France)

The Kyoto protocol [39] directs the signatory countries including France to establish an inventory of carbon stocks in forests. Precise estimates of carbon stocks are hampered by local spatial variability, in particular in wetland areas [25]. The aims of this work are: (i) to estimate the spatial variability of carbon stocks on two hillslopes presenting respectively, a transition between a well-drained zone and a wetland area over a short-distance, and a very progressive transition; (ii) to correlate this variability with soil waterlogging and topographic variations and (iii) to evaluate carbon stock prediction by modelling waterlogging intensity as soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks increase significantly with waterlogging. However, SOC stocks in redoximorphic soils are highly variable, particularly in zones where carbon is redistributed due to erosion and sedimentation. In the litter and the vegetation, the age and density of the stand are the main explanatory factors of C variability. Topographic modelling of the waterlogging intensity could improve the spatial estimation of SOC stocks but not of the C stocks in the humus and vegetation.     

西藏色季拉山西坡不同海拔梯度表层土壤碳氮变化特性的研究

为探讨海拔梯度变化对表层土壤(0～20 cm)全量养分的影响,以西藏色季拉山西坡的高山灌丛(AS)、杜鹃林(RF)、急尖长苞冷杉林(AGSF1-6)和林芝云杉林(PLLF)为试验对象,研究了林地土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)、微生物生物量氮(MBN)、易氧化态碳(ROC)和颗粒有机碳(POC)的变化特征.结果表明:在色季拉山西坡,高海拔植被类型具有较高的土壤活性有机碳含量和分配比例.表层土壤SOC随着海拔的升高而增大.SOC最大的是AS,为77.167 g·kg-1,PLLF最低为22.351 g·kg-1.表层土壤TN随着海拔的升高而增大.TN最大的是AS,为2.430g·kg-1,PLLF最低为0.830 g·kg-1.表层土壤C/N最大者为AGSF4,达到了43.57,最小者是PLLF为26.93.海拔和林分对土壤MBC和MBN含量具有显著的影响.随着海拔高度的降低,POC占TOC含量的比率从44.81％降至19.32％,ROC占TOC含量的比率从41.72％降至7.07％.不同林地POC和ROC含量与SOC含量具有正相关关系.土壤活性有机碳与土壤总有机碳显著相关,土壤易氧化有机碳与颗粒有机碳的相关性也比较显著(p＜0.05).     

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks Under Plantations in Gambo District,Southern Ethiopia

The effect of six plantation species in comparison to natural forest (NF) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks, depth-wise distribution, biomass carbon (C), and N was investigated on plantations and cultivated lands on an Andic paleudalf soil in Southern Ethiopia. The SOC, N, and bulk density were determined from samples taken in 4 replicates from 10-, 20-, 40-, 60-, and 100-cm depth under each site. Similarly, the biomass C and N of the plantation species and understory vegetation were also determined. The SOC and N were concentrated in the 0- to 10-cm depth and decreased progressively to the 1-m depth. Next to the NF, Juniperous procera accrued higher SOC and N in all depths than the corresponding plantations. No evidence of significant difference on SOC and N distribution among plantations was observed below the 10-cm depth with minor exceptions. The plantations accrue from 133.62 to 213.73 Mg ha^–1 or 59.1 to 94.5% SOC, 230.4 to 497.3 Mg ha^–1 or 6.9 to 14.9% TBC and 420.37 to 672.80 Mg ha^–1 or 12.5 to 20% total C-pool of that under the NF. The N stock under Juniperous procera was the highest, while the lowest was under Eucalyptus globulus and Cupressus lusitanica. We suggest that SOC and N sequestration can be enhanced through mixed cropping and because the performance of the native species Juniperous procera is encouraging, it should be planted to restock its habitat.     

不同植被恢复方式对九寨沟震后土壤碳氮化学计量特征的影响

通过比较自然恢复、人为恢复及与自然植被的土壤碳氮化学计量特征,以期为九寨沟地震受损滑坡体快速恢复提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)与未受损植被的土壤相比,受损植被滑坡体的土壤有机碳、总氮、可利用氮含量均更低,但pH值和碳氮比均更高。(2)人为恢复下的植被总盖度、土壤有机碳、总氮、可利用氮含量均高于自然恢复。(3)土壤有机碳含量与总氮或可利用氮含量呈现正相关、而与pH值或碳氮比呈显著负相关。短期的结果表明人为恢复措施比自然恢复更有利于九寨沟震损坡体植被的快速恢复。此外,建议在未来植被恢复中注意栽植固氮植物。     

Impact of tree species on soil carbon stocks and soil acidity in southern Sweden

Abstract

The impact of tree species on soil carbon stocks and acidity in southern Sweden was studied in a non-replicated plantation with monocultures of 67-year-old ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), beech (Fagus silvatica L.), elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) and oak (Quercus robur L.). The site was characterized by a cambisol on glacial till. Volume-determined soil samples were taken from the O-horizon and mineral soil layers to 20?cm. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH (H₂O), cation-exchange capacity and base saturation at pH 7 and exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium ions were analysed in the soil fraction?<?2 mm. Root biomass (<5 mm in diameter) and its proportion in the forest floor and mineral soil varied between tree species. There was a vertical gradient under all species, with the highest concentrations of SOC, TN and base cations in the O-horizon and the lowest in the 10–20?cm layer. The tree species differed with respect to SOC, TN and soil acidity in the O-horizon and mineral soil. For SOC and TN, the range in the O-horizon was spruce?>?hornbeam?>?oak?>?beech?>?ash?>?elm. The pH in the O-horizon ranged in the order elm?>?ash?>?hornbeam?>?beech?>?oak?>?spruce. In the mineral soil, SOC and TN ranged in the order elm?>?oak?>?ash?=?hornbeam?>?spruce?>?beech, i.e. partly reversed, and pH ranged in the same order as for the O-horizon. It is suggested that spruce is the best option for fertile sites in southern Sweden if the aim is a high carbon sequestration rate, whereas elm, ash and hornbeam are the best solutions if the aim is a low soil acidification rate.     

Can distribution of trees explain variation in nitrous oxide fluxes?

Abstract

The impact of distance to tree stems on nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes was examined to determine whether it is possible to improve the accuracy of flux estimates from boreal forest soils. Dark static chambers were placed along transects between pairs of trees within a Norway spruce stand and fluxes of N₂O and carbon dioxide (CO₂) were measured during the period 1999–2003. The groundwater table was measured on every sampling occasion along the transects. In addition, radiation transmission, potential diffusion rate and biomass of forest floor vegetation were measured once at each chamber site along one of the transects and soil samples were collected at three depths, from which pH, denitrification enzyme activity, soil moisture, organic matter, and carbon and nitrogen content were determined. There was a high level of variation in the N₂O fluxes, both spatially and temporally. However, the spatial variation in the N₂O fluxes within the transect could not be explained by differences in any of the measured variables. Sometimes, mainly when no major peaks occurred, N₂O fluxes were significantly correlated with CO₂ release. It is concluded that distance to stems cannot be used to improve the design of sampling schemes or for extrapolating flux levels to larger scales.     

红锥4种林型土壤理化性质及微生物量差异分析

【目的】研究广西国有高峰林场不同红锥人工林对土壤理化性质及微生物生物量的影响,旨在为该区红锥人工林合理经营和持续生产发展提供科学依据。【方法】以红锥纯林、红锥+湿地松混交林、红锥+米老排混交林、红锥+火力楠混交林4种红锥林型人工林0~60 cm土层为研究对象,分析4种红锥林型的土壤理化性质和微生物生物量差异以及变化规律。【结果】4种林型3个土层(0~20、20~40、40~60 cm)间土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、容重(ρb)、含水率(θg)以及微生物生物量碳(MBC)和微生物生物量氮(MBN)均差异显著,且随着土层深度的增加,4种林型的SOC、TN、全磷(TP)、θg均表现为逐渐降低,ρb表现为逐渐增大。0~60 cm土层4种林型间SOC、TN、TP、θg、pH值、ρb均差异极显著。其中红锥+米老排混交林土壤SOC、TN、TP、θg和MBC、MBN均最大,pH值和ρb最小;红锥纯林土壤SOC、TN、TP和MBC、MBN均最小,pH值和ρb最大。相关分析表明,MBC与SOC、TP呈显著正相关,与ρb呈显著负相关;MBN与SOC、TN、TP呈显著正相关,与ρb呈显著负相关;SOC、TN、TP与ρb呈显著负相关。【结论】红锥混交林能够有效提高土壤养分,改善土壤质地,且红锥阔叶混交林较红锥针阔混交林的效果更佳。     

Standing biomass and carbon storage of above-ground structures in dominant mangrove trees in the Sundarbans

We evaluated carbon stocks in the above-ground biomass (AGB) of three dominant mangrove species (Sonneratia apetala, Avicennia alba and Excoecaria agallocha) in the Indian Sundarbans. We examined whether these carbon stocks vary with spatial locations (western region vs. central region) and with seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon). Among the three studied species, S. apetala showed the maximum above-ground carbon storage (t ha⁻¹) followed by A. alba (t ha⁻¹) and E. agallocha (t ha⁻¹). The above-ground biomass (AGB) varied significantly with spatial locations (p < 0.05) but not with seasons (p < 0.05). The variation may be attributed to different environmental conditions to which these areas are exposed to such as higher siltation and salinity in central region compared to western region. The relatively higher salinity in central region caused subsequent lowering of biomass and stored carbon of the selected species.     

色季拉山西坡高海拔区土壤养分含量及化学计量特征

[目的]探究高寒生态系统土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、全钾(TK)含量及化学计量比的垂直分布特征.[方法]以西藏东南部色季拉山西坡海拔4200～4400 m区域为研究区,选择苔草高寒草甸(CAM)、嵩草沼泽化草甸(KSM)、林芝杜鹃灌丛(RTS)和雪山杜鹃灌丛(RAS)4种典型植被类型土壤为研究对象...     

Carbon and nitrogen stocks in soil,trees and field vegetation in conifer plantations 10 years after deep soil cultivation and patch scarification

Abstract

Biomass, total nitrogen (N) and total carbon (C) stocks were determined in trees, roots, field vegetation and soil in plots given two different site preparation treatments, deep soil cultivation (DSC) approximately 50?cm deep and patch scarification (PS), at three locations in Sweden 10?years after treatment. One location was planted with Pinus contorta, one with Picea abies and one with a mixture of P. abies and Pinus sylvestris. No differences were found in total ecosystem (trees, roots, field vegetation and soil) C and N stocks between the DSC and PS plots. In the DSC plots the tree biomass, tree N and C contents and total biomass were higher than in the PS plots, but the opposite was found for stocks in field vegetation. Biomass and C stocks in the total vegetation (trees, roots and field vegetation) were higher in the DSC plots. However, vegetation N stocks did not differ between the soil treatments, probably because the combined amount of leaf tissue in the trees and field vegetation did not differ between them. The proportions of biomass allocated to roots, stems and needles did not differ between the two treatments. However, the rooting was deeper in DSC plots, possibly because nutrient availability was higher, and subsoil density lower, following DSC than following PS.     

The influence of land-use change on the organic carbon distribution and microbial respiration in a volcanic soil of the Chilean Patagonia

Land-use changes can modify soil carbon contents. Depending on the rate of soil organic matter (SOM) formation and decomposition, soil-vegetation systems can be a source or sink of CO₂. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of land-use change on SOM distribution, and microbial biomass and respiration in an Andisol of the Chilean Patagonia. Treatments consisted of degraded natural prairie (DNP), thinned and pruned Pinus ponderosa plantations (PPP), and unmanaged second-growth Nothofagus pumilio forest (NPF). The soil was classified as medial, amorphic, mesic Typic Hapludands. Soil microbial respiration and microbial biomass were determined in the laboratory from soil samples taken at 0–5, 5–10, 10–20 and 20–40 cm depths obtained from three pits excavated in each treatment. Physical fractionation of SOM was performed in soil of the upper 40 cm of each treatment to obtain the three following aggregate-size classes: macroaggregates (>212 μm), mesoaggregates (212–53 μm) and microaggregates (<53 μm). Plant C content was 68% higher in PPP than in DNP and 635% higher in NPF than in PPP. Total soil and vegetation C content in both DNP and PPP were less than half of that in NPF. Total SOC at 0–10 cm depth decreased in the order DNP (7.82%) > NPF (6.16%) > PPP (4.41%), showing that land-use practices affected significantly (P < 0.01) SOC stocks. In all treatments, microbial biomass C and respiration were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the upper 5 cm. Soil microbial respiration was also correlated positively with microbial biomass C and SOC. The different land uses affect the formation of organic matter, SOC and microbial biomass C, which in turn will affect soil microbial respiration. Conversion of DNP to PPP resulted in a 44% decrease of SOC stocks in 0–10 cm mineral soil. The largest amount of SOC was stabilized within the mesoaggregate fraction of the less disturbed system, NPF, followed by PPP. In the long term, formation of stable mesoaggregates in soils protected from erosion can behave as C sinks.     

Forest soils and carbon sequestration

Soils in equilibrium with a natural forest ecosystem have high carbon (C) density. The ratio of soil:vegetation C density increases with latitude. Land use change, particularly conversion to agricultural ecosystems, depletes the soil C stock. Thus, degraded agricultural soils have lower soil organic carbon (SOC) stock than their potential capacity. Consequently, afforestation of agricultural soils and management of forest plantations can enhance SOC stock through C sequestration. The rate of SOC sequestration, and the magnitude and quality of soil C stock depend on the complex interaction between climate, soils, tree species and management, and chemical composition of the litter as determined by the dominant tree species. Increasing production of forest biomass per se may not necessarily increase the SOC stocks. Fire, natural or managed, is an important perturbation that can affect soil C stock for a long period after the event. The soil C stock can be greatly enhanced by a careful site preparation, adequate soil drainage, growing species with a high NPP, applying N and micronutrients (Fe) as fertilizers or biosolids, and conserving soil and water resources. Climate change may also stimulate forest growth by enhancing availability of mineral N and through the CO₂ fertilization effect, which may partly compensate release of soil C in response to warming. There are significant advances in measurement of soil C stock and fluxes, and scaling of C stock from pedon/plot scale to regional and national scales. Soil C sequestration in boreal and temperate forests may be an important strategy to ameliorate changes in atmospheric chemistry.     

Spatial variation and prediction of forest biomass in a heterogeneous landscape

Large areas assessments of forest biomass distribution are a challenge in heterogeneous landscapes, where variations in tree growth and species composition occur over short distances. In this study, we use statistical and geospatial modeling on densely sampled forest biomass data to analyze the relative importance of ecological and physiographic variables as determinants of spatial variation of forest biomass in the environmentally heterogeneous region of the Big Sur, California. We estimated biomass in 280 forest plots (one plot per 2.85 km2) and measured an array of ecological (vegetation community type, distance to edge, amount of surrounding non-forest vegetation, soil properties, fire history) and physiographic drivers (elevation, potential soil moisture and solar radiation, proximity to the coast) of tree growth at each plot location. Our geostatistical analyses revealed that biomass distribution is spatially structured and autocorrelated up to 3.1 km. Regression tree (RT) models showed that both physiographic and ecological factors influenced biomass distribution. Across randomly selected sample densities (sample size 112 to 280), ecological effects of vegetation community type and distance to forest edge, and physiographic effects of elevation, potential soil moisture and solar radiation were the most consistent predictors of biomass. Topographic moisture index and potential solar radiation had a positive effect on biomass, indicating the importance of topographically-mediated energy and moisture on plant growth and biomass accumulation. RT model explained 35% of the variation in biomass and spatially autocorrelated variation were retained in regession residuals. Regression kriging model, developed from RT combined with kriging of regression residuals, was used to map biomass across the Big Sur. This study demonstrates how statistical and geospatial modeling can be used to discriminate the relative importance of physiographic and ecologic effects on forest biomass and develop spatial models to predict and map biomass distribution across a heterogeneous landscape.     

Effect of tree species on carbon stocks in forest floor and mineral soil and implications for soil carbon inventories

Forest soil organic carbon (SOC) and forest floor carbon (FFC) stocks are highly variable. The sampling effort required to assess SOC and FFC stocks is therefore large, resulting in limited sampling and poor estimates of the size, spatial distribution, and changes in SOC and FFC stocks in many countries. Forest SOC and FFC stocks are influenced by tree species. Therefore, quantification of the effect of tree species on carbon stocks combined with spatial information on tree species distribution could improve insight into the spatial distribution of forest carbon stocks.We present a study on the effect of tree species on FFC and SOC stock for a forest in the Netherlands and evaluate how this information could be used for inventory improvement. We assessed FFC and SOC stocks in stands of beech (Fagus sylvatica), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), oak (Quercus robur) and larch (Larix kaempferi).FFC and SOC stocks differed between a number of species. FFC stocks varied between 11.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ (beech) and 29.6 Mg C ha⁻¹ (larch). SOC stocks varied between 53.3 Mg C ha⁻¹ (beech) and 97.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ (larch). At managed locations, carbon stocks were lower than at unmanaged locations. The Dutch carbon inventory currently overestimates FFC stocks. Differences in carbon stocks between conifer and broadleaf forests were significant enough to consider them relevant for the Dutch system for carbon inventory.     

关帝山森林土壤有机碳和氮素的空间变异特征

在庞泉沟自然保护区选择3个生态功能区设置典型样地,运用经典统计学和地统计学方法研究了森林土壤有机碳、全氮及碳氮比的空间变异特征及分布格局.结果表明,随着生态系统由人工林→次生演替早期杨桦阔叶林→次生演替中后期云杉、杨、桦混交林顺向演替,土壤有机碳和全氮平均值先增加后减小,碳氮比平均值呈逐渐减小趋势.3指标变异系数在11...     

Patterns of forest vegetation responses to edge effect as revealed by a continuous approach

Context

Understanding the variability of vegetation distribution and its determinants is a central issue for addressing the effects of edges on ecological processes. Recent studies have revealed inconsistencies in the patterns of responses to edge effects that raise important questions about their determinants. We investigated the edge effect response patterns by adapting a recently proposed continuous approach to the case of small forest fragments in southwestern France.

Methods

We surveyed forest understory vegetation (composition, species richness, and percent cover) and abiotic variables (soil temperature, moisture, pH, and canopy openness) along 28 transects across hard forest edges. We tested five statistical models to describe the response pattern of each variable (1) over all transects and (2) per transect. We then compared the response patterns as a function of the attributes of the edge (orientation, topography, and adjacent land cover) and forest patch size.

Results

Over all transects, a general decreasing trend was observed for all variables as the distance from the edge increased. In the individual transects, we evidenced a large variability in the response patterns that was not related to edge attributes or to patch size.

Conclusion

It is difficult to assess the depth of edge influence in highly fragmented forests and to identify the determinants of edge effects. We recommend that care should be taken with studies using pool of transects, and that further studies should be carried out including situations with neutral patterns, in order to gain a broader understanding of edge effects on vegetation.     

Estimation of soil organic carbon based on remote sensing and process model

The estimation of the soil organic carbon content (SOC) is one of the important issues in the research of the global carbon cycle. However, there are great differences among different scientists regarding the estimated magnitude of SOC. There are two commonly used methods for the estimation of SOC, with each method having both advantages and disadvantages. One method is the so called direct method, which is based on the samples of measured SOC and maps of soil or vegetation types. The other method is the so called indirect method, which is based on the ecosystem process model of the carbon cycle. The disadvantage of the direct method is that it mainly discloses the difference of the SOC among different soil or vegetation types. It can hardly distinguish the difference of the SOC in the same type of soil or vegetation. The indirect method, a process-based method, is based on the mechanics of carbon transfer in the ecosystem and can potentially improve the spatial resolution of the SOC estimation if the input variables have a high spatial resolution. However, due to the complexity of the process-based model, the model usually simplifies some key model parameters that have spatial heterogeneity with constants. This simplification will produce a great deal of uncertainties in the estimation of the SOC, especially on the spatial precision. In this paper, we combined the process-based model (CASA model) with the measured SOC, in which the remote sensing data (AVHRR NDIV) was incorporated into the model to enhance the spatial resolution. To model the soil base respiration, the Van’t Hoff model was used to combine with the CASA model. The results show that this method could significantly improve the spatial precision (8 km spatial resolution). The results also show that there is a relationship between soil base respiration and the SOC as the influence of environmental factors, i.e., temperature and moisture, had been removed from soil respiration which makes the SOC the most important factor of soil base respiration. The statistical model of soil base respiration and the SOC shows that the determinant coefficient (R ²) is 0.78. As the method in this paper contains advantages from both direct and indirect methods, it could significantly improve the spatial resolution and, at the same time, keep the estimation of SOC well matched with the measured SOC. __________ Translated from Journal of Remote Sensing, 2007, 11(1): 127–136 [译自: 遥感学报]     

Simulation of carbon pool changes in woodlots in eastern Zambia using the CO2FIX model

Agroforestry systems have the potential to contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, data on tree and soil organic carbon (SOC) pools for most agroforestry systems are lacking because reliable methods for estimating ecosystem carbon (C) pools are scarce. This study quantified the effects of five Leucaena species (L. leucocephala, L. macrophylla, L. diversifolia, L. collinsii and L. pulverulenta) on vegetal and soil C stocks and on mean annual increment (MAI) in aboveground tree C stocks. Specifically, it tested the validity of the CO2FIX model using empirical data from 7?year-old woodlots at Msekera, Zambia, and assessed the impact of converting a degraded agricultural ecosystem to woodlots on C stocks. Measured above- and below-ground tree C stocks and MAI of aboveground biomass differed significantly among the Leucaena species. Measured stem and total aboveground tree C stocks in seven-year old woodlots ranged from 17.1 to 29.2 and from 24.5 to 55.9?Mg?ha^?1, respectively. Measured SOC stocks at 0?C200?cm depth in Leucaena stands ranged from 106.9 (L. diversifolia) to 186.0?Mg?ha^?1 (L. leucocephala). Modeled stem and branch C stocks closely matched measured stocks, but the soil module of CO2FIX did not predict the soil C. The soil C data are inconclusive at this stage. We recommend that a fractionation and a soil aggregate hierarchy study backed by C dating is carried out to explain soil C dynamics in these soils. However, the model can be used only for estimating changes in aboveground tree C stocks in woodlots until soil C module is proven to predict SOC stocks.