We estimated carbon stocks at the landscape level over the last 48 years in the Deilão Parish (4.197ha), Bragança District, Northeastern Portugal, with the purpose of analyzing carbon sequestration dynamics in this changing landscape. We created land use GIS coverages from aerial photographs from 1958, 1968, 1980, 1992 and 2006 based on the COS2005 (IGP) land use/land cover classification system. Bellowand aboveground vegetation carbon stocks for each land unit were estimated based upon published biomass equations and inventory data. The parish presented symptoms of abandonment such as a decrease in agriculture area and an increase in forest plantations. Carbon sequestered in the Deilão parish increased from 20.572tC in 1958 to 75.449tC in 2006. This change correspond to a 267% increase during the 48 period of time under consideration. It cCorresponds also to a mean annual sequestration rate of 0,27tC/ha/year. Landscape change in Deilão is corresponded by a very significant increase in carbon sequestered in the landscape.
Carbon sequestration; Landscape change; Agriculture abandonment
