Soil carbon pools in tundra and taiga ecosystems of northeastern Europe

The mean pools of soil carbon were determined for the first time for twelve soil groups (according to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources, 2006) on four test plots with the use of the high-resolution (Landsat and QuickBird) satellite imagery, original field data on more than 200 soil profiles, and literature data included in the soil database. Three test plots belonged to the ecotone between tundra and forest-tundra zones, and the fourth plot characterized the middle taiga zone. Spatial distribution patterns of soil carbon in different soil subgroups and genetic horizons were characterized for the areas with the mosaic soil and vegetation covers. The mean soil carbon content for the first three test plots in permafrost area was estimated at 39.5 kg C/m², including 28.7 kg C/m² in the upper soil meter. The mean soil carbon pool of the taiga plot reached 16.7 kg C/m² (0–100 cm).