Carbon sink potential of selected forest plantations in Kerala

Abstract

Nowadays the global climate is changing due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide due to fossil fuel emissions and anthropogenic activities. Forest ecosystems can act as both source and sink of carbon and thus play a crucial role in global carbon cycles. Also, it is one of the most carbon rich habitats on the planet, and their protection is vital in reducing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The objective of the study is to assess baseline scenarios and determine the carbon storage potentials of the selected forest plantations under the Kerala Forest development corporation (KFDC). The study was conducted in the selected forest plantations Marottichal and Kulathupuzha under the Kerala Forest development Corporation. Teak and acacia are considered as the major plantation at Marottichal and sandal mixed plantation was selected in the Kulathupuzha range. The estimation of carbon storage in these plantations was conducted by non-destructive methods. The methods employed included measuring the GBH of the trees, collecting soil from different depths across the profile, and collecting litter and undergrowth from the plots. The GBH data obtained from the field measurements were used as inputs for the allometric equations of the trees thus giving its biomass. In teak plantations, 2008, 2009 and 2010 planted trees showed a carbon storage of 230.85, 216.31 and 239.67 (t/ha) respectively. In all the soil profiles, there was a significant decrease in organic matter content with depth. On the other hand, eight-year-old (2014) acacia plantation accounts for 234.07 t/ha carbon. Soil organic carbon accounts for the major carbon pool (134.64 t/ha). Twelve-and eleven – year – old sandal mixed plantations showed relatively lesser carbon storage than teak and acacia, accounting for 133.51 and 122.19 (t/ha) carbon. This is because the above ground pools accounted for very limited contributions to the carbon storage caused by slow growth of sandal trees. The present study data of carbon storage potential of selected plantations could be added to the data repository and would be useful in carbon accounting during implementation of projects such as Carbon Neutral Kerala.