Effect of disturbance on biomass, production and carbon dynamics in moist tropical forest of eastern Nepal

Tilak Prasad Gautam,Tej Narayan Mandal

doi:10.1186/s40663-016-0070-y

Tilak Prasad Gautam, Tej Narayan Mandal

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-016-0070-y

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Journal: Forest Ecosystems	Publication Date: Apr 26, 2016
Citations: 31	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Tribhuvan University

Abstract

Forest biomass is helpful to assess its productivity and carbon (C) sequestration capacity. Several disturbance activities in tropical forests have reduced the biomass and net primary production (NPP) leading to climate change. Therefore, an accurate estimation of forest biomass and C cycling in context of disturbances is required for implementing REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) policy. Biomass and NPP of trees and shrubs were estimated by using allometric equations while herbaceous biomass was estimated by harvest method. Fine root biomass was determined from soil monolith. The C stock in vegetation was calculated by multiplying C concentration to dry weight. Total stand biomass (Mg∙ha–1) in undisturbed forest stand (US) was 960.4 while in disturbed forest stand (DS) it was 449.1. The biomass (Mg∙ha–1) of trees, shrubs and herbs in US was 948.0, 4.4 and 1.4, respectively, while in DS they were 438.4, 6.1 and 1.2, respectively. Total NPP (Mg∙ha–1∙yr–1) was 26.58 (equivalent to 12.26 Mg C∙ha–1∙yr–1) in US and 14.91 (6.88 Mg C∙ha–1∙yr–1) in DS. Total C input into soil through litter plus root turnover was 6.78 and 3.35 Mg∙ha–1∙yr–1 in US and DS, respectively. Several disturbance activities resulted in the significant loss in stand biomass (53 %), NPP (44 %), and C sequestration capacity of tropical forest in eastern Nepal. The net uptake of carbon by the vegetation is far greater than that returned to the soil by the turnover of fine root and litter. Therefore, both stands of present forest act as carbon accumulating systems. Moreover, disturbance reflects higher C emissions which can be reduced by better management.

Highlights

Forest biomass is helpful to assess its productivity and carbon (C) sequestration capacity
Forest disturbances often lead to the changes in species composition, structure, stand biomass, productivity
Studies on biomass help to assess the effect of disturbances on productivity, C dynamics, nutrient cycling and stability of forest stands

Summary

Introduction

Forest biomass is helpful to assess its productivity and carbon (C) sequestration capacity. Several disturbance activities in tropical forests have reduced the biomass and net primary production (NPP) leading to climate change. Tropical forests play an important role in the global C cycle They contain about 55 % of global forest C (Pan et al 2011) and account for 34 % of terrestrial gross primary production (Beer et al 2010). Forest disturbances often lead to the changes in species composition, structure, stand biomass, productivity. Studies on biomass help to assess the effect of disturbances on productivity, C dynamics, nutrient cycling and stability of forest stands. The contribution of fine roots in the C and nutrients input to soil is equivalent or even higher to that from leaf litter in tropical moist forests (Roderstein et al 2005)

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