Variation in volume, biomass and carbon stocks in different deodar forests of Garhwal Himalaya
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Date
2015-07
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College of Forestry, Ranichauri Campus, V.C.S.G. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry
Abstract
Deodar is typically gregarious and is usually found in pure stands. It is one of the most important and valuable timbers of northern India. It occurs throughout the western Himalayas from Afghanistan to Garhwal up to the valley of the Dhauli below the Nitipass at an elevation ranging from 1200 to 3500 m, being most common from 1800 to 2600 m. Total area under Deodar forest in India is estimated to be about 203263 ha.
The present study was undertaken in ten different forests sites, assessed by laying out three 0.1 ha sample plots randomly on each location. Enumeration of trees for volume, biomass and carbon sequestration was done by measuring girth and height individually for all the tress. Further, data collected from stand were computed for dbh, basal area, volume, stand density and canopy cover. The AGBD, BGBD, TBD, TCD were examine for variation of biomass and carbon stock study and percentage relative density was use for the analysis of population structure. The soil samples were collected from each sample plot at three different soil depths. The standard method was use to analyze the soil sample. To study the Physico-chemical properties of soil various parameter viz. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH and EC analyzed.
The outcome of the study revealed that the values of dbh, basal area, height, volume, stand density and canopy cover ranged from 42.10 to 57.07 cm, 1.37 to 2.84 m2 trees-1 , 19.68 to 37.64 m, 1.44 m3 tree-1 to 4.27 m3 tree-1, 227 to 407 ind. ha-1 and 57.91 % to 80.60 % respectively. The value of AGBD (428.57 to 1279.51 Mg ha-1), BGBD (97.41 to 256.14 Mg ha-1), TBD (525.98 to 1535.65 Mg ha-1), and TCD (767.83 to 262.99 Mg ha-1) was recorded in different study sites and higher end values was observed in Kanasae-I site. The population structure study observed in Deodar forest from younger to mature or old growth trees in natural forests. The maximum (45%) population was observed in Thangdhar site (50-60 cm), compared to all sites. Values of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH and EC ranged between 1.34 and 1.61 %, 0.40 and 0.49 %, 5.22 and 7.22 kg acre-1, 84.56 and 243.44 kg acre-1, 6.28 and 7, 0.07 and 0.17 dS m-1 respectively.
On the basis of above results it is concluded that the healthy stand growth is indicated by stand structure. Population percent was higher in middle diameter class revealed that forests were younger. The Kanasar-I has more prominent capacity to storage biomass and carbon stock. Soils were well enriched by nutrient. Soil nutrient were found decreases with increasing soil depth. pH was acidic to alkaline in all sites. Deodara being a slow growing conifer will provide a long term and high carbon storage than broadleaf species forest. Therefore, protecting deodar forest would have the largest impact, per unit area, on reducing carbon emission from deforestration.
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