CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL IN ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS OF NATURAL RESERVE FOREST OF CENTRAL INDIA .

Abstract

This article explores the potential of forestry practices to mitigate climate change. Forest not only sustains its own carbon but also has the potential to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Reduction of photosynthesizing biomass through indiscriminate deforestation constitutes damage to the self-regulating mechanism that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere combustion . In the present study the biomass densities and carbon stocks of natural tropical forest of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve forest (TATR), Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India was estimated using standard carbon inventory methods. Present methodologies used to obtain carbon stock estimates for large forest areas are mostly based on forest inventory information as well as various factors, such as biomass equations, which transform diameter, height or volume data into biomass estimates. Tectona grandis showed the highest tree diameter of 26cm and average height of 19.85m while the lowest tree diameter and height of 10.35cm and 8.25m was shown by Ziziphus glaberrima, respectively. In addition, the total above and belowground biomass of the trees in the natural forest of TATR were observed to be 178.09 Mg/ha and 46.30 Mg/ha respectively. The carbon stock accumulated in vegetation was found to be 112.19 MgC/ha. Carbon sequestration in trees depends not only on climatic conditions but also on their growth and age. However, the estimation of net carbon uptake and storage by the forest ecosystem is very complex due to various factors that influence growth of trees and respiration of CO 2.This study helps to understand the present status of carbon stored and sequestered in tropical dry forest ecosystem.