Assessing the of carbon and nitrogen storage potential in Khaya spp. stands in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in soil, forest floor, and aboveground biomass in 9.5 years-old planted stands of three Khaya spp. (K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, and K. senegalensis). The study was conducted at the Reserva Natural Vale (RNV), Brazil. The stands were planted at 5 × 5 m spacing, distributed over rectangular plots of 1250 m2. Soil bulk density at the evaluated depths, as well nitrogen contents, were similar among the species. However, K. ivorensis exhibited higher carbon concentration in the soil. In general, there were no differences in carbon and nitrogen content in soil between the three species; however, the values obtained are comparable to those of the reference area–Native Forest. The carbon stocks in the aboveground biomass for K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, and K. senegalensis averaged 37.97, 33.66 and 33.86 Mg ha−1, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). These values collectively represent about 28% of the total carbon stocks across the observed compartments. Notably, the nitrogen content within the aboveground biomass did not differ among these species. Therefore, African mahogany possesses a robust potential to store both carbon and nitrogen.