Carbon sequestration : estimation of carbon stock in natural forests using geospatial technology in the Eeastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The need for a carbon databank is addressed in this article in the context of mitigating climatic changes. As a pilot study, carbon stock in a natural forest area of Kolli hills, part of the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India has been estimated using geospatial technology. The total biomass, both above and below ground, is calculated and the total carbon stock estimated. Likewise, the sequestered soil organic carbon is also estimated. The biomass carbon estimated is 2.74 Tg and the soil carbon is 3.48 Tg. The lesser soil organic carbon indicates that the forest area is severely affected by degradation due to various need-based forestry practices and anthropogenic disturbances. A national-level carbon databank is envisaged for all types of forest in India to study the temporal change and carbon sequestration potential for better management of forests.