Assessment of Above Ground Carbon Stock in Trees of Ponda Watershed, Rajouri (J&K)

Abstract

Forest sequesters large terrestrial carbon which is stored in the biomass of tree and plays a key role in reducing atmospheric carbon. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to assess the growing stock, above ground biomass and carbon in trees of Ponda watershed of Rajouri district (J&K). IRS-P6 LISS-III satellite data of October 2010 was used for preparation of land use/land cover map and forest density map of the study area by visual interpretation. The growing stock estimation was done for the study area as well as for the sample plots laid in forest and agriculture fields. The growing stock and biomass of trees were estimated using species specific volume equations and using specific gravity of wood, respectively. The total growing stock in the study area was estimated to be <TEX>$0.25million\;m^3$</TEX> which varied between <TEX>$85.94m^3/ha$</TEX> in open pine to <TEX>$11.58m^3/ha$</TEX> in degraded pine forest. However in agriculture area, growing stock volume density of <TEX>$14.85m^3/ha$</TEX> was recorded. Similarly, out of the total biomass (0.012 million tons) and carbon (0.056 million tons) in the study area, open pine forest accounted for the highest values of 43.74 t/ha and 19.68 t/ha and lowest values of 5.68 t/ha and 2.55 t/ha, respectively for the degraded pine forest. The biomass and carbon density in agriculture area obtained was 5.49 t/ha and 2.47 t/ha, respectively. In all the three forest classes Pinus roxburghii showed highest average values of growing stock volume density, biomass and carbon.