Dynamics and structure of carbon storage in the postagrogenic ecosystems of the southern taiga

The dynamics and structure of the carbon storage in postagrogenic ecosystems during the natural reforestation of agrosoddy-podzolic soils in the southern taiga zone of European Russia have been considered. Calculation experiments based on the nonlinear model of the carbon cycle in soils (NAMSOM) have revealed different tendencies in the changes of the soil carbon reserves during the postagrogenic succession depending of the preceding land use and the soil texture. It has been shown that, in spite of the possible decrease in the reserves of soil carbon in some cases, the total carbon reserves in the ecosystems always increase during the postagrogenic succession due to the multiple increases in the phytomass and the accumulation of carbon in the litter. Thus, the obtained results indicate the sequestering of carbon in the abandoned lands of the southern taiga of European Russia.