Soil organic carbon (SOC) is one of the central issues in dealing with soil fertility as well as environmental and food safety. Due to the lack of relevant data sources and methodologies, analyzing SOC dynamics has been a challenge in Morocco. During the last two decades, process-based models have been adopted as alternative and powerful tools for modeling SOC dynamics; whereas, information and knowledge on the most sensitive model inputs under different climate, and soil conditions are still very limited. For this purpose, a sensitivity analysis was conducted in the present work, using the DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model based on the data collected at a semi-arid region (Merchouch station, Morocco). The objective is to identify the most influential factors affecting the DNDC-modeled SOC dynamics in a semi-arid region across different climatic and soil conditions. The results of sensitivity analysis highlighted air temperature as the main determinant of SOC. A decrease in air temperature of 4 °C results in an almost 161 kg C ha−1 yr−1 increase in C sequestration rate. Initial SOC was also confirmed to be one of the most sensitive parameters for SOC. There was a 96 kg C ha−1 yr−1 increase in C sequestration rate under low initial SOC (0.005 kg C ha−1). In the DNDC, air temperature in climatic factors and initial SOC in variable soil properties had the largest impacts on SOC accumulation in Merchouch station. We can conclude that the sensitivity analysis conducted in this study within the DNDC can contribute to provide a scientific evidence of uncertainties of the selected inputs variables who can lead to uncertainties on the SOC in the study site. The information in this paper can be helpful for scientists and policy makers, who are dealing with regions of similar environmental conditions as Merchouch Station, by identifying alternative scenarios of soil carbon sequestration.

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The present study aims to compare two different methods for the determination of soil organic matter (SOM); the wet acidified dichromate oxidation methods Walkley-Black (WB) and the combustion's one (mass loss on ignition -LOI); in order to find out the best one in terms of suitability, environmentally-friendly, time-efficiency and economical benefit. Forty-five Moroccan soil samples (El Guich, Koudia and Merchouche area) from 0-20 cm depth with different classes, textures and organic matter contents were evaluated. According to the results, a strong linear relationship was observed between LOI-OM and WB-OM methods for all the sites. However, El Guich and Koudia recorded much larger regression coefficients (0.745 *** and 0.611 *** respectively) compared to Merchouche site (0.452 ** ). Therefore, the SOM by walkley-Black method can be easily calculated from the LOI method at 500±25 ºC for 2 hours using linear equation in order to minimize the analysis time and consumption of chemicals for routine laboratory. In addition, it was noticed that the SOM contents calculated by the LOI method are higher in Merchouche soils compared to that of WB due to the presence of a large amount of clay minerals in the Merchouche soils (43.9 < %clay < 56.1) in comparison with those of El Guich (5 < %clay < 7.5) and Koudia (16.1 < %clay < 20.4). This study revealed that both methods were reliable but W.B method was more accurate and suitable for calcareous soils and those with high clay contents. However, LOI method is an accurate and beneficial for non-calcareous soils with low clay content.