Abstract
A study was conducted to assess growth, carbon stock and sequestration potential of oil palm plantations along a chronosequence in Mizoram, Northeast India for which a total of 148 oil palms drawn from different age group plantations (1 to 11 years) were sampled for their biometric parameters and assessment of carbon stock through partial non-destructive methods. All the growth parameters of oil palm (trunk height, crown depth, total height, trunk diameter) and biomass drew from different parts of the palm showed a significant (p belowground biomass (BGB) > standing litter biomass > deadwood biomass > understorey biomass. AGB, BGB and deadwood biomass followed an increasing trend while understorey biomass decreased with age. An 11-year oil palm plantation accumulated 111.96 Mg ha-1 biomass with a carbon density of 49.90 Mg C ha-1 and could sequester 3.70 Mg C ha-1 year-1 in 10 years after planting in Mizoram, Northeast India. The findings showed considerable carbon storage with comparative higher values in oil palm plantations than shifting cultivation fallows. This will enable policy and decision makers in framing climate change mitigation and adaptation policies regarding the extension of oil palm plantations in Mizoram.
Highlights
Increasing levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) concentration, mainly CO2 in the atmosphere, is a major concern responsible for climate change in the current global environment scenario
Age of oil palm plantations can be categorized as: young age stage ranging from 1 - 3 years; intermediate age stage ranging from 4 - years; productive age stage ranging from - 20 years and mature age stage ranged over 20 years after planting [36]
Stored carbon stock in oil palm plantation was greatly influenced by age
Summary
Increasing levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) concentration, mainly CO2 in the atmosphere, is a major concern responsible for climate change in the current global environment scenario. Carbon storage in the tropical ecosystems has been disturbed through land-use and land-cover change releasing greenhouse gases (C emissions) with a relative value ranging 10% - 13% annually [1]. Tree crop plantations mainly in developing countries provide a long-term reduction in GHGs levels through sequestration and provides work, income, and food, especially the smallholder systems [3] [4] [5]. Oil palm plantations in Mizoram was started in 2004-2005 with the State Department of Agriculture as a nodal agency under schemes like the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) as an alternative land use to divert farmers practicing the traditional shifting cultivation. Carbon storage and soil fertility get affected as soil organic carbon (SOC) contents become lower under oil palm than under primary or secondary forest [9]
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