ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF AFFORESTATION ON SOIL QUALITY AND SOIL ORGANIC CARBON: A CASE STUDY IN RASHAYA DISTRICT, LEBANON

Authors

Mohammad Saleh, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Debbyeh, LebanonFollow
Wael Mostafa, Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), LebanonFollow
Safaa Baydoun, Human Environmental Association for Development, LebanonFollow
Hisham Salman, Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC), LebanonFollow
Jamilah Borjac, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Debbyeh, LebanonFollow

Keywords

Afforestation, Soil texture, Carbon sequestration, Soil organic carbon, Soil quality parameters

Disciplines

Forest Biology | Forest Management | Other Forestry and Forest Sciences

Abstract

Afforestation is a promising strategy for improving soil quality and enhancing carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. This study assessed the impact of afforestation on soil parameters in two afforested areas and one natural forest, compared with adjacent non-forested sites in Rashaya al-Wadi, Lebanon. Soil samples (0–30 cm depth) were analyzed for texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), organic nitrogen (ON), mineral nitrogen (MN), and available phosphorus (AP) using ISO and standardized protocols at the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI). The findings indicate that afforestation significantly increased SOM, SOC, and ON, with enhancements ranging from 151% (p < 0.001) to 215% (p = 0.03), and substantially elevated AP levels, with increases up to 682% (p < 0.001). Soil texture was affected, with a significant rise in sand content (p < 0.001) and a decrease in clay content (p < 0.001). Afforestation also led to a notable reduction in soil pH (p < 0.001), while changes in EC were not statistically significant. The natural forest exhibited significantly higher SOM (p = 0.002) and AP (p = 0.011) compared to non-forested areas. These results confirm that afforestation is an effective nature-based approach for enhancing soil properties and fostering carbon sequestration, underscoring its role in climate change mitigation.

Author ORCID Identifier

Mohammad Saleh https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4963-4766

Wael Mostapha https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2520-7386

Safaa Baydoun https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1820-4995

Hicham Salman https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3663-4021

Jamilah Borjac https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7722-5617

Recommended Citation

Saleh, Mohammad; Mostafa, Wael; Baydoun, Safaa; Salman, Hisham; and Borjac, Jamilah (2025) "ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF AFFORESTATION ON SOIL QUALITY AND SOIL ORGANIC CARBON: A CASE STUDY IN RASHAYA DISTRICT, LEBANON," BAU Journal - Science and Technology: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2959-331X.1152

ISSN

2959-331X