Carbon stocks in a 50-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis stand in Sicily, Italy

Eucalyptus stands in semi-arid areas may contribute to enhance carbon (C) stocks in both biomass and soil. However, the limited information available is mainly focused on short-rotation plantations. In this study, the above-and below-ground C pools in five 50-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. stands planted on Miocenic evaporitic deposits in Sicily, Italy, with a xeric and thermic pedoclimate, were measured. Above-ground biomass was determined by partitioning and weighing branches, stem and leaves. Below-ground C pools included the determination of litter, root biomass, and soil organic and inorganic C. In terms of the above-ground biomass, the E. camaldulensis stand accumulated on average 116 Mg ha(-1) corresponding to 55 Mg C ha(-1). Below-ground biomass consisted mainly of larger roots, followed by fine and medium roots (33 Mg ha(-1) corresponding to 14 Mg C ha(-1)). Litter accumulation on the soil surface accounted for 13 Mg ha(-1) corresponding to 5 Mg C ha(-1). The amount of C stored in soil was 554 Mg C ha(-1), of which 75% was in organic form. Although E. camaldulensis is planted extensively throughout the Southern Hemisphere and tropics where it is managed over short rotations (c. 2-4 years), the results obtained from this study make this species important in terms of future afforestation planning for longer rotations due to its potential to sequester C, particularly in the below-ground components.