Carbon Budgets in the Steppe Ecosystems of Russia

Abstract

Abandoned lands formed in the place of former arable lands occupy considerable areas in the steppe zone and are a basic reserve for the restoration of the steppe biome in Russia. Taking into account the secondary steppe ecosystems developed in the place of the abandoned lands, the total carbon dioxide sink in the steppe zone of Russia can reach 92–121 Mt С per year. This is comparable to the СО₂ sink in the managed forests of the Russian Federarion (96 Mt/yr) and accounts for 10–20% of the total sink of СО₂ in the terrestrial ecosystems of Russia. To increase the sink potential on the territory of the Russian Federation, the natural and restored steppe ecosystems should be preserved.