Short and Long-Term Effect of Land Use and Management on Soil Organic Carbon Stock in Semi-Desert Areas of North Africa-Tunisia

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role in the global C cycle, as well maintenance and improvement of soil quality. Over time, special attention has been paid to it study SOC reserves worldwide; however, reduced given assessing spatial patterns stock (SOCS) semi-desert ecosystems. In this line, there are no conclusive studies drylands Africa affected by aeolian processes (semi-desert conditions) mainly due complexity sample collection, is especially significant some types such Arenosols (AR) Calcisols (CL). This evaluated variability SOCS AR CL with woody crops relation land use management (old plantations > 100 years: centenary olive grove; new < 12 young grove, almond, pistachio) conditions. For purpose, 16 profiles (for 0–40 40–100 cm depth) were selected studied experimental area Menzel Chaker-Sfax southeastern Tunisia (North Africa). The main results indicated that on average was higher Old Cultivated (OC-AR) 41.16 Mg ha?1 compared Newly (NC-AR) 25.13 ha?1. However, decreased after a long period cultivation from 43.00 (Newly CL: NC-CL) 32.19 (Old OC-CL). indicates term, more capacity store than AR, short sensitive CL.