Abdallah, M. A. B., Mata-Gonzalez, R., Noller, J. S. & Ochoa, C. G. (2020). Ecosystem carbon in relation to woody plant encroachment and control: Juniper systems in Oregon, USA. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 290, 1 – 10, 106762.
Juniper [Juniperus occidentalis] encroachment is considered an important contributor to rangeland degradation in North America and thus its control is a common restoration practice with ecological benefits to native wildlife and livestock. Yet, the implications of juniper control in terms of ecosystem carbon stocks are largely unknown. This motivated our study [in central Oregon]. We hypothesized that a treated watershed, after 13 years of mature western juniper elimination, would store less aboveground and belowground carbon than an untreated watershed, implying lower capacity for soil carbon sequestration resulting from juniper control. Although aboveground carbon stock was reduced in the treated western juniper area, the belowground carbon stock was not, rendering no significant effects on total carbon stocks (aboveground and belowground) caused western juniper control. A greater root carbon accumulation in the treated area than in the untreated area partially offset the losses in aboveground carbon due to juniper control.
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