Estimation of Carbon Stocks in Avicennia marina Stand Using Allometry, CHN Analysis, and GIS Methods

Abstract

The paper suggests a framework for the estimation of biomass and, ultimately, the amount of carbon sequestered in Avicennia marina stands of Mumbai region in Thane creek. The literature-adopted framework for estimating biomass uses a direct (Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen (CHN) analysis), an indirect (allometry and remote sensing) and a hybrid approach. The study area has Avicennia marina as a dominant species. The carbon content was estimated using allometry and CHN analysis and further refined with GIS techniques. The Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of 1,726 trees at 49 different locations in the study area was measured for estimating total biomass. A CHN analysis of leaf and soil samples was performed to determine the carbon content and the data extrapolated using geostatistical analysis. Using allometry and a GIS hybrid approach, the estimated carbon stock was 34.14769 tons per hectare. The regression model developed may be useful for estimating the carbon stock of areas that are inaccessible for conducting allometric measurements or gathering samples for CHN analysis. The study attempts to improve the estimates of the carbon content by including geostatistical analysis as a final step for allometry and combines CHN analysis for better conversion of biomass to carbon content.