Species-specific effects of native trees on soil organic carbon in biodiverse plantings across north-central Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Plantings of diverse native tree species aim to reverse negative effects of widespread vegetation clearing in temperate Australia. Studies of the environmental outcomes of these biodiverse plantings currently provide little information on carbon sequestration, which could limit their integration into emerging carbon markets. This paper presents soil organic carbon (SOC) data from four biodiverse native plantings at age 9 to 17years across north-central Victoria in south-eastern Australia. Effects of site and tree species on SOC (0-10cm depth) were examined using soils from under four species common to all plantings (Acacia implexa, Acacia mearnsii, Allocasuarina verticillata and Eucalyptus m..