Carbon Sequestration Mapping of Ratnagiri District in India Using Geospatial Technology

Soil plays a crucial role in combating climate change and ecological restoration through controlling the global carbon cycle. Therefore, mapping of the carbon stock and spatial distribution of soil carbon in soils are essentially needed as it will be helpful for stakeholders and managers in land management decisions and for soil carbon sequestration. The average carbon stock was found to be 16.15 t C ha-1 and 14.71 t C ha-1 for 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths, respectively, in the soils of Ratnagiri district in the Konkan region. Total soil carbon sequestration value for the whole Ratnagiri district was 49.29 megatonnes of CO2 up to 15 cm depth and 45.62 megatonnes of CO2 for the next 15-30 cm depth. Thus, soils can store a greater quantity of atmospheric CO2 and play a vital role in the mitigation of climate change impacts.