Biomass, carbon stock and soil physicochemical properties in plantation of East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study emphasizes the biomass and carbon sequestration potential of plantations in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The integrated approach of geospatial technology along with field inventory based data was used in spatial modeling of biomass and carbon sequestration potentials of selected plantations. The stand density was recorded highest (1320 individuals ha−1) in Areca catechu (AC) plantation followed by Citrus sinensis (CS) 1240 individuals ha−1 and lowest (620 individuals ha−1) in Hevea brasiliensis (HB) plantation. The basal area was recorded maximum in HB plantation and minimum in CS plantation. The Above ground biomass (AGB) was recorded for the plantations AC, CS, HB were 51.42 t/ha, 18.84 t/ha, and 60.74 t/ha, respectively. Total biomass carbon was found to be highest in the plantation of HB (43.10 t/ha) followed by AC (36.48 t/ha) and (13.37 t/ha) in CS plantation. Total soil carbon was recorded highest in AC (61.76 t/ ha) followed by HB (46.73 t/ha) and CS (29.27 t/ha). The highest total carbon storage in various plantation parts (tree above and below ground, deadwood and litter, soil) was found greater in AC plantation (67.82 t/ha) followed by HB plantation (66. 91 t/ha) and CS plantation (28.50 t/ ha). Spatial AGB density was modeled using satellite data derived vegetation indices and GIS techniques. Among the vegetation indices used, SAVI resulted better relationship with the AGB hence was used for modeling carbon stock for the study area. The predicted average biomass in the study area was computed as 56.32 t/ha. However, the predicted biomass was 65.86 t/ha, 73.26 t/ha and 29.86 t/ha for the CS, HB and AC plantations, respectively. The present study reveals that HB plantation possessed the greater potential of carbon capture followed by AC and CS plantations and the girth of trees plays an important role in biomass accumulation.