Carbon sequestration in multipurpose agroforesty plantations by using monoculture agroforesty models

R. Shankar; Ch. Chandra Sekhar; B. Joseph; K.B. Sunitha Devi; M.A. Aarif Khan

Volume : III, Issue : IX, September - 2014

Carbon sequestration in multipurpose agroforesty plantations by using monoculture agroforesty models

R. Shankar, Ch. Chandra Sekhar, B. Joseph, K. B. Sunitha Devi, M. A. Aarif Khan

Abstract :

A carbon–flow model for managed agroforesty plantations was used to estimate carbon storage in Acharyear N G Ranga university campus plantations differing in Yield Class(growth rate) and species characteristics. Time averaged, total carbon storage was generally recorded 19,469 kg ha–1 year–1 in trees, 2031 kg ha–1 year –1 in soil organic matter and 3,48,424 kg ha–1 year–1 in wood products. The average rate of carbon storage during early stages in most of the plantations was in 1209 kg C ha–1 year–1. A sensitivity study analysis revaled that average increase in total carbon storage in the tree systems is highest in two tree species viz., Azadirachta indica (6372.0 kg C ha–1 year–1) and Dalbergia sissooo (1415.11 kg C ha–1 year–1). The increase in carbon storage rate was 6–24 m3 ha–1 year–1 and increase in total carbon storage was in the range of 2.5 to 4.6 Mg C ha–1 year–1. If the main objective is to store carbon rapidly in the short term and achieve high carbon storage in the long term, Eucalyptus spp plantations planted in blocks was the best (spacing, year rotations) option. If the objective is to achieve high carbon storage in the medium term without regard to the initial rate of storage, then the plantations of any Dalbergia spp with above 20 years age is suffice. In long term grown oad leaved plantations of Tectona grandis and Azadirachta indica as much carbon stored as the other plantations was observed.