Carbon sequestration potential of a teak plantation forest in the Eastern Ghats of India

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study aimed to estimate the total carbon sequestration potential of a 20-years-old teak (Tectona grandis) plantation forest spread over an area of 23 ha (in Odisha under Eastern Ghats stretch) through analysis of above ground and below ground biomass carbon of trees and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock.Methodology: The sampling was carried out during May to July 2017. Random non-destructive quadrate method was used for vegetation analysis. Based on the girth, height, basal area and bio volume of trees, the above ground carbon (AGC), below ground carbon (BGC) and total carbon storage in biomass (CSB) of teak plantation forest was calculated. Similarly, soil samples were taken by a soil core sampler at different depths and based on their organic carbon, bulk density, stone and gravel contents, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks of soil was calculated. Results: The total SOC stock and CSB of the entire teak plantation forest was 489.21 t and 6670 t, respectively, across an area of 23 ha. Taking two carbon pools into account, the total carbon sequestration (TCS) of teak plantation forest patch was 7159.21 t, which arrived to be 311.27 t ha-1 with AGC of 230.16 t ha-1 and BGC of 59.84 t ha-1 and TOC stock of 21.27 t ha-1. The highest contribution in terms of carbon storage was established by above ground carbon (74%) followed by below ground carbon (19%) and SOC (7%). Interpretation: The current study reflects that teak plantation forest has rich potential of carbon sequestration not only in tree biomass but also in the SOC form and this plantation can act as a potent reservoir of carbon in the Eastern Ghats of India