Carbon sequestration potential in community and collaborative forests in Terai, Nepal

Type Journal Article - Tropical Ecology
Title Carbon sequestration potential in community and collaborative forests in Terai, Nepal
Author(s)
Volume 57
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2016
Page numbers 655-662
URL http://tropecol.com/pdf/open/PDF_57_4/4 Mandal et al. 2016.pdf
Abstract
The objectives of this research are to assess and compare the current annual
carbon increment (CACI) in community managed forests and evaluate the carbon sequestration
potential in the forests. For this three community forests (CFs) namely Budhha, Chureparwati
and Chyandanda and three collaborative forests (CFMs) they were Banke- Maraha,
Tuteshwarnath and Gadhanta- Bardibash of Terai region in Nepal were selected as research
sites. Statistically, randomize block design (RBD) was set to carry out the sampling. Thus,
altogether 176 permanent plots were established applying stratified random sampling. The
diameter and height of trees, pole and sapling (DBH > 5 cm) were measured from each plots for
three consecutive years. Meanwhile, samples of regeneration (DBH < 5 cm, herbs, shrub and
litter were collected from concentric plots. Additionally, the soil samples were collected from
0 - 10, 10 - 30 and 30 - 60 cm depths. The biomass was calculated using the allometric equation
and collected samples were analyzed in lab. Later, the biomass was converted into carbon which
was further employed to assess the carbon sequestration potential. The monetary valuation was
calculated at the rate of carbon sequestration US$ 5 t ha-1. The result revealed that estimated
current annual carbon increment (CACI) was 2.85 t ha-1 in Chyandanda CF however leakage
was -1.68 t ha-1 in Banke- Maraha CFM. Moreover, the multiple comparisons Tukey's test
showed that there were significant differences in CACIs among the forests. The worth of carbon
sequestration potential was US$ 11613.41. Thus, these forests demonstrate the great
potentiality under Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)
mechanism.

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