Vegetation Carbon Stocks Research Articles

The Grain-for-Green project offsets warming-induced soil organic carbon loss and increases soil carbon stock in Chinese Loess Plateau.

The dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock is a vital element affecting the climate, and ecological restoration is potentially an effective measure to mitigate climate change by enhancing vegetation and soil carbon stocks and thereby offsetting greenhouse gas emissions. The Grain-for-Green project (GFGP) implemented in Chinese Loess Plateau (LP) since 1999 is one of the largest ecological restoration projects in the world. However, the contributions of ecological restoration and climate change to ecosystem soil carbon sequestration are still unclear. In this study, we improved a soil carbon decomposition framework by optimizing the initial SOC stock based on full spatial simulation of SOC and incorporating the priming effect to investigate the SOC dynamics across the LP GFGP region from 1982 through 2017. Our results indicated that SOC stock in the GFGP region increased by 20.18 Tg C from 1982 through 2017. Most portion (15.83 Tg C) of the SOC increase was accumulated when the GFGP was initiated, with a SOC sink of 16.12 Tg C owing to revegetation restoration and a carbon loss of 0.29 Tg C due to warming during this period. The relationships between SOC and forest canopy height and investigations on the SOC dynamics after afforestation revealed that the accumulation rate of SOC could be as high as 24.68 g C m-2 yr-1 during the 70 years following afforestation, and that SOC could decline thereafter (-8.89 g C m-2 yr-1), which was mainly caused by warming. This study provides a new method for quantifying the contribution of ecological restoration to SOC changes, and also cautions the potential risk of LP SOC loss in the mature forest soil under future warming.

Application of Empty Fruit Bunches of Oil Palm and Indigofera zollingeriana for Conservation of Oil Palm Plantation

Oil palm empty fruit bunches are materials used as organic fertilizers that can be applied to oil palm plantations, thereby reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers. Indigofera zollingeriana is an appropriate alternative as an interplant because of its high branch and leaf development. Functions as a ground cover and a supplier of carbon stocks naturally plays a role in water and soil conservation. This study aims to determine the effect of oil palm empty fruit bunches and I. zollingeriana on land improvement to support oil palm growth and production. Variables observed included changes in soil water content, soil microorganism activity, and carbon stock. The results showed that the soil planted with I. zollingeriana and given the empty fruit bunches of oil palm had a higher soil moisture content. The highest soil carbon stock, oil palm carbon stock, and vegetation carbon stock were 81.6 t ha-1, 36.60 t ha-1, and 1.89 t ha-1, respectively. The population and activity of microorganisms varies. The highest total microorganisms were treated with I. zollingeriana and oil palm EFB 105 (10⁵CFU g-1), while the lowest was 60 (10⁵CFU g-1). Planting I. zollingeriana and providing oil palm empty fruit bunches increased groundwater reserves by 36.71%.

Diversity and Carbon Storage in <i>Calligonum polygonoides</i> Associated Shrub Ecosystem of Indian Desert

Calligonum polygonoides L., a shrub of Indian Desert, helps combat desertification. A 400 quadrates of 0.1 ha size were assessed in 12 arid districts of Rajasthan to monitor associations, diversity and status of C. polygonoides and its role in biomass production and carbon sequestration. With 9.23% frequency C. polygonoides was recorded in Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Sriganganagar districts with average height and collar-diameter of 1.83±0.71 m and 6.61±2.01 cm respectively. Recorded 6 trees and 12 shrubs species were dominated by Acacia tortilis (IVI=153.6) and C. polygonoides (IVI=120.0), respectively. Higher growth and carbon storage with reduced rainfall indicates strong adaptability of C. polygonoides , but climate severity adversely affected plant diversity. Shrub diversity, soil pH, EC, bulk density (BD) and organic and inorganic carbon storage varied ( p <0.05) spatially. Vertical distribution of gravel and BD was significant. Contribution of C. polygonoides to total biomass carbon ranged between 24.83% in Jodhpur and 93.25% in Barmer district. Land use and climatic and edaphic factors had resulted in heterogeneity in shrub diversity influencing carbon stock in both vegetation and soils. Results obtained demonstrated the role of Calligonum in shrubby vegetation cover by which carbon storage could be promoted and land and environmental degradation can be minimized.

The Contribution of Subtidal Seagrass Meadows to the Total Carbon Stocks of Gazi Bay, Kenya

Seagrass beds occur globally in both intertidal and subtidal zones within shallow marine environments, such as bays and estuaries. These important ecosystems support fisheries production, attenuate strong wave energies, support human livelihoods and sequester large amounts of CO2 that may help mitigate the effects of climate change. At present, there is increased global interest in understanding how these ecosystems could help alleviate the challenges likely to face humanity and the environment into the future. Unlike other blue carbon ecosystems, i.e., mangroves and saltmarshes, seagrasses are less understood, especially regarding their contribution to the carbon dynamics. This is particularly true in regions with less attention and limited resources. Paucity of information is even more relevant for the subtidal meadows that are less accessible. In Kenya, much of the available information on seagrasses comes from Gazi Bay, where the focus has been on the extensive intertidal meadows. As is the case with other regions, there remains a paucity of information on subtidal meadows. This limits our understanding of the overall contribution of seagrasses in carbon capture and storage. This study provides the first assessment of the species composition and variation in carbon storage capacity of subtidal seagrass meadows within Gazi Bay. Nine seagrass species, comprising of Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, Halophila stipulacea, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii, and Thalassodendron ciliatum, were found. Organic carbon stocks varied between species and pools, with the mean below ground vegetation carbon (bgc) stocks (5.1 ± 0.7 Mg C ha−1) being more than three times greater than above ground carbon (agc) stocks (0.5 ± 0.1 Mg C ha−1). Mean sediment organic carbon stock (sed Corg) of the subtidal seagrass beds was 113 ± 8 Mg C ha−1. Combining this new knowledge with existing data from the intertidal and mangrove fringed areas, we estimate the total seagrass ecosystem organic carbon stocks in the bay to be 196,721 Mg C, with the intertidal seagrasses storing about 119,790 Mg C (61%), followed by the subtidal seagrasses 55,742 Mg C (28%) and seagrasses in the mangrove fringed creeks storing 21,189 Mg C (11%). These findings are important in highlighting the need to protect subtidal seagrass meadows and for building a national and global data base on seagrass contribution to global carbon dynamics.

A mid-20th century inventory-based estimate of global terrestrial vegetation carbon stocks

A mid-20th century inventory-based estimate of global terrestrial vegetation carbon stocks

Vegetation structure and carbon stock potential in the community-managed forest of the Mid-Western Hilly Region, Nepal

Abstract. Rawal K, Subedi PB. 2022. Vegetation structure and carbon stock potential in the community-managed forest of the Mid-Western Hilly Region, Nepal. Asian J For 6: 15-21. Community forests (CF) play a crucial role in sustainable development and accumulate carbon to mitigate global climate change. The objective of this study was to evaluate the plant diversity, regeneration status, and carbon stock potential of two community-managed Shorea robusta-dominated forests in Nepal's Dailekh District, namely Bayeldhunga Pahapu CF and Bayeldhunga CF. A total of 76 sample plots were studied using a systematic sampling intensity of 0.5%. The density of species in the developmental phase was used to determine the forest's regeneration condition. Allometric equations were used to calculate the aboveground carbon store of tree species. Shorea robusta Gaertn. was the foremost species regarding regeneration and carbon storage in the studied forest areas, with high regeneration conditions. The seedlings, saplings, and trees in the Bayeldhunga Pahapu CF exceeded those in the Bayeldhunga CF. In both study areas, J-shaped reverse population curves were observed. This study provided details on tree species' regeneration condition, structure, proportions, and carbon sequestration capacity, which is critical for community forest management and conservation. The analysis showed that by altering the structure and proportions of community forests, community management has boosted the carbon storage of forests and enhanced forest productivity.

Analysis of carbon emissions from land cover change during 2000 to 2020 in Shandong Province, China

Land cover change affects the carbon emissions of ecosystems in some way. The qualitative and quantitative understanding of carbon emissions from human activities (e.g., land cover change, industrial production, etc.) is highly significant for realizing the objective of carbon neutrality. Therefore, this paper used GlobeLand30 land cover maps, annual average normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) data, annual average net ecosystem productivity (NEP) data and statistical yearbook data from 2000 to 2020 to explore the relationship between land cover change and carbon emissions. Specifically, it included land cover change, carbon storage changes influenced by land cover change, spatial and temporal analysis of carbon sources and sinks, land use intensity change and anthropogenic carbon emissions. The results of the study show that the main land cover changes in Shandong province during 2000–2020 was cultivated land conversion to artificial surfaces. Among them, the area of cultivated land converted to artificial surfaces from 2000 to 2010 was 4930.62 km2, and the proportion of cultivated land converted to artificial surfaces from 2010 to 2020 was as high as 78.35%. The total carbon stock of vegetation affected by land cover change decreased by 463.96 × 104 t and 193.50 × 104 t in 2000–2010 and 2010–2020 respectively. The spatial and temporal distribution of carbon sources and sinks differed more markedly from 2000 to 2020, and land use intensity changes in Shandong Province showed an upward trend. Of the total energy production, industry has the largest energy consumption, followed closely by total energy consumption in transportation, storage and postal services.

Community structure and potential carbon stock of mangrove forest in Malek Village, Paloh District, Sambas Regency, Indonesia

Mangrove forest in Sambas Regency is experiencing several pressures, both naturally and due to land use conversion into settlements, ponds and others. This study aims to analyze the structure of the mangrove community and the existing condition of mangrove forest in Malek Village, Sambas Regency. The research was conducted through vegetation analysis and a remote sensing approach. Estimation of carbon stock was done by using available allometric equations. Remote sensing data used in this study was from Sentinel-2 MSI image. The data was used to obtain information of the area and distribution of mangrove species. Results showed that there were two dominant true mangrove species at the site, namely Avicennia marina (IVI = 212.80) and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (IVI = 187.20). Based on the results of the analysis, the area of mangrove in the location is 368.41 ha, with a dense category of 63.25%, medium 27.55%, and sparse 9.19%. The estimated value of above ground carbon stock of mangrove vegetation ranges from 23.09 ± 2.30 to 49.23 ± 2.59 Mg C ha-1. The mangrove forest area in Malek Village has good potential, it can be assessed from the density of mangroves, area, the thickness of mangroves, minimum damage, and potential carbon stocks stored.Indonesian title: Struktur komunitas dan potensi cadangan karbon di kawasan hutan mangrove Desa Malek, Kecamatan Paloh, Kabupaten Sambas, Indonesia

Carbon Stock and Change Rate under Different Grazing Management Practices in Semiarid Pastoral Ecosystem of Eastern Ethiopia

Grazing management strategies tend to have different effects on rangeland plant production. Changes in grazing management can, therefore, affect the carbon stock potential of rangelands. Despite rangeland ecosystems being important global sinks for carbon, we know relatively little about the effect of traditional grazing management practices on their potential to store carbon. In this study, we evaluated the carbon stock and change rate of rangelands using three traditional grazing management practices in the semiarid pastoral ecosystem of eastern Ethiopia. By comparing data on vegetation and soil carbon stocks, we found that there was a strong significant difference (p < 0.001) between these different management practices. In particular, the establishment of enclosures was associated with an annual increase in carbon stocks of soil (3%) and woody (11.9%) and herbaceous (57.6%) biomass, when compared to communal open lands. Both enclosure and browsing management practices were found to have the highest levels of soil organic carbon stocks, differing only in terms of the amount of woody and herbaceous biomass. Thus, modest changes in traditional grazing management practices can play an important role in carbon storage and sequestration. Further research is required on a wider range of traditional pastoral management practices across space and time, as understanding these processes is key to combating global climate change.

Vegetation and Soil Carbon Pool in Chirpine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) Forest of Mahabharat Hill, Nepal

This study analyzed the vegetation and soil carbon stock in natural forest in Mahabharat hill of Bagmati Province, Pinus roxburghii Nepal. Systematic random sampling method was applied for forest inventory and forest biomass was estimated by using standard allometric models. Soil samples were taken from soil profile up to 60 cm depth at the interval of 20 cm. Total carbon stock in forest was Pinus roxburghii found 193.54 t ha and 226.54 t ha for Aphnai CF and Okhe CF, respectively. Among the carbon pools carbon stock was found in the order of -1 -1 above ground carbon stock > soil organic carbon stock > below ground carbon stock for both CF. The forest carbon stock showed a positive relationship with biomass, tree diameter, and height but no relationship with tree density. The study concluded that forest vegetation and soil can play vital role on carbon sequestration and subsequently mitigating the problem of global warming.

Estimating the aboveground biomass and carbon stocks of tall shrubs in a prerestoration degraded salt marsh

Wetlands play a vital role in Earth's carbon cycle and provide important ecosystem services. Their ability to perform their roles can be compromised by human activities that destroy or impair their functioning. The restoration of degraded wetlands may allow carbon cycle functioning, as well as other services, to be recovered. Predicting the potential outcomes from any restoration project requires upfront consideration, including via modeling possible changes in carbon stocks. In this study, we quantified the carbon stocks in tall shrub vegetation proliferating in a degraded salt marsh that is currently the subject of an extensive restoration project. We produced allometric models to estimate biomass and carbon stocks for three tall shrub species, which, along with other freshwater and upland species in the area, will die with continued restoration. Therefore, estimating the potential for carbon losses in biomass is important. We also developed a means of estimating carbon stocks in other nontree plants in the estuary area. Useful equations for estimating the biomass of tall shrubs are limited in general and lacking for degraded systems. Our study adds to the literature on carbon stocks in shrub species and fills a data gap for degraded ecosystems. It also contributes to the broader carbon feasibility study of the aforementioned restoration project that was designed to predict the overall net impact of the project on greenhouse gas emissions in the ecosystem.

A mid-20th century inventory-based estimate of global terrestrial vegetation carbon stocks

A mid-20th century inventory-based estimate of global terrestrial vegetation carbon stocks

A mid-20th century inventory-based estimate of global terrestrial vegetation carbon stocks

A mid-20th century inventory-based estimate of global terrestrial vegetation carbon stocks

A mid-20th century estimate of global vegetation carbon stocks based on inventory statistics

A mid-20th century estimate of global vegetation carbon stocks based on inventory statistics

Carbon Storage Potential of Agroforestry System near Brick Kilns in Irrigated Agro-Ecosystem

The current study was conducted to estimate the carbon (C) storage status of agroforestry systems, via a non-destructive strategy. A total of 75 plots (0.405 ha each) were selected by adopting a lottery method of random sampling for C stock estimations for soil, trees and crops in the Mandi-Bahauddin district, Punjab, Pakistan. Results revealed that the existing number of trees in selected farm plots varied from 25 to 30 trees/ha. Total mean tree carbon stock ranged from 9.97 to 133 Mg C ha−1, between 5–10 km away from the brick kilns in the study area. The decreasing order in terms of carbon storage potential of trees was Eucalyptus camaldulensis > Syzygium cumin > Popolus ciliata > Acacia nilotica > Ziziphus manritiana > Citrus sinensis > Azadirachtta Indica > Delbergia sisso > Bambusa vulgaris > Melia azadarach > Morus alba. Average soil carbon pools ranged from 10.3–12.5 Mg C ha−1 in the study area. Meanwhile, maximum C stock for wheat (2.08 × 106 Mg C) and rice (1.97 × 106 Mg C) was recorded in the cultivated area of Tehsil Mandi-Bahauddin. The entire ecosystem of the study area had an estimated woody vegetation carbon stock of 68.5 Mg C ha−1 and a soil carbon stock of 10.7 Mg C ha−1. These results highlight that climate-smart agriculture has great potential to lock up more carbon and help in the reduction of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, and can be further used in planning policies for executing tree planting agendas on cultivated lands and for planning future carbon sequestration ventures in Pakistan.

Long-term impacts of afforestation on biomass production, carbon stock, and climate resilience in a degraded semi-arid ravine ecosystem of India

The ravines are considered among highly degraded ecosystems where successful afforestation strategies can provide significant economic and ecological benefits. The present investigation assessed and compared the biomass, carbon stock (CS), and climate resilience potential of tree species in both degraded and afforested ravine lands of Western India. Results revealed a better growth performance and higher (P < 0.05) economic volume of tree species in afforested ravines, compared to degraded ravines. Among different tree species, Azadirachta indica was noted to be the dominant species in terms of density at both afforested and degraded sites. Dendrocalamus strictus and Prosopis juliflora produced higher (P < 0.05) stem volume at the afforested sites and degraded sites, respectively. Acacia nilotica and A. indica accrued greater (P < 0.05) biomass as well as CS at the afforested sites and degraded sites, respectively. Overall, in afforested ravines, the tree biomass, vegetation CS, and soil CS were assessed higher by 176 Mg ha−1, 88 Mg ha−1, and 3.50 Mg ha−1, respectively, compared to degraded ravine lands. The sum rank index indicated better performance of A. indica, A. nilotica, and D. strictus in afforested sites, and A. indica, P. juliflora, and Acacia senegal in degraded sites, under the changing climatic scenarios of ravine ecosystem. The results suggested that afforestation of degraded ravines have a strong potential to accumulate biomass and CS in both vegetation and soil systems, and therefore, these lands can be utilized as a major sink for sequestering the atmospheric C to expedite national mitigation and adaption action plan.

Ecosystem Carbon Stocks of Restored Mangroves and Its Sequestration in Northern Sumatra Coast, Indonesia

The 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 30-year restored mangroves were studied through non-destructive method by measuring their stem diameter and tree height. Two allometric references: (a) stem diameter (D₃₀) and (b) combined quadratic stem diameter and tree height (D₃₀²H) were used to estimate aboveground and belowground vegetation carbon stocks. The soil samples were collected from different depth and analysed in laboratory for soil carbon. The objective of this study was to estimate ecosystem carbon stocks of restored mangroves and its sequestration. The growth of restored mangroves induced an increase of tree biomass and a corresponding increase in vegetation carbon stocks from 3.7 MgC ha^-1 at 2-year to 136.8 MgC ha^-1 at 30-years. However, soil carbon stocks among restored mangrove plots spread randomly and didn't follow the sequence of mangrove tree ages. Average (2-30 years) mangrove ecosystem carbon in Northern Sumatra estimated by D₃₀²H allometry (362.0 MgC ha^-1) was higher than that estimated by D₃₀ allometry (344.1 MgC ha^-1). This higher trend was also followed by its carbon sequestration with values of 41.1 MgCO₂e ha^-1 yr^-1 estimated by D₃₀²H allometry and 31.5 MgCO₂e ha^-1 yr^-1 estimated by D₃₀ allometry. It is concluded that the values of ecosystem carbon stock of restored mangroves and its sequestration estimated by combined quadratic stem diameter and tree height (D₃₀²H) are higher than if it is estimated by stem diameter (D₃₀). The D₃₀²H value is higher because this allometry calculates the volume of the tree stem, while D₃₀ allometry only calculates the surface of the stem. The range values of average ecosystem carbon sequestration of this study may be better used as a reference for Afforestation, Reforestation and Re-vegetation (ARR) verification than what has been used as default/conservative values.

Species Diversity, Growing Stock Variables and Carbon Mitigation Potential in the Phytocoenosis of Monotheca buxifolia Forests along Altitudinal Gradient across Pakistan

The sub-tropical broadleaved forests in Pakistan are the main constituents of the ecosystem services playing a vital role in the global carbon cycle. Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. is an important constituent of these forests, encompassing a variety of ecological and commercial uses. To our best knowledge, no quantitative studies have been conducted in these forests across the landscape to establish a baseline for future monitoring. We investigated the forest structural attributes, growing stock characteristics and total biomass carbon stock and established relationships among them in the phytocoenosis of Monotheca forests along an altitudinal gradient in Pakistan to expand an eco-systemic model for assessment of the originally-implemented conservation strategies. A floristic survey recorded 4986 individuals of 27 species in overstory and 59 species in the understory stratum. Species richness (ANOVA; F = 3.239; p = 0.045) and Simpson’s diversity (ANOVA; F = 2.802; p = 0.043) differed significantly in three altitudinal zones, with a maximum value for lower elevations, followed by middle and higher elevations. Based on the importance values, Acacia modesta and Olea ferruginea are strong companions of M. buxifolia at lower and higher altitudes, whereas forests at mid elevation represent pure crop of M. buxifolia (IVI = ≥85.85%). A similar pattern in stem density, volume and Basal area were also recorded. The carbon stock in trees stratum (51.81 T ha−1) and understory vegetation (0.148 T ha−1) contributes high values in the lower elevation forests. In contrast, soil carbon had maximum values at higher elevation (36.21 T ha−1) and minimum at lower elevation (16.69 T ha−1) zones. Aboveground biomass carbon stock (AGB BMC) of woody trees, understory vegetation and soil organic carbon (SOC) were estimated higher (77.72 T ha−1) at higher and lower (68.65 T ha−1) elevations. Likewise, the AGB BMC exhibited a significant (p &lt; 0.05) negative correlation with elevation and positive correlation with soil carbon. We concluded that lower elevation forests are more diverse and floristically rich in comparison to higher altitudinal forests. Similarly, the biomass carbon of Monotheca forests were recorded maximum at low altitudes followed by high and middle ranges, respectively.

Mangrove species diversity and carbon stock in silvofishery ponds in Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Harefa MS, Nasution Z, Mulya MB, Maksum A. 2021. Mangrove species diversity and carbon stock in silvofishery ponds in Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 655-662. Mangrove-based silvofishery ponds are promoted as a win-win solution for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation as well as income generation for coastal communities. This study aimed to analyze the species diversity and carbon stock of mangrove vegetation in silvofishery ponds in Tanjung Rejo Village, Percut Seituan Sub-district, Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Data of the mangrove species were obtained using vegetation analysis, and the potential carbon stock was estimated based on allometric equations of both above- and below-ground tree biomass. For this purpose, plot samples from 22 silvofishery ponds were taken by establishing 5 aligned circular plots, each with a radius of 5.64 m, perpendicular to the coastline and with a distance of 15 meters between their perimeters. The results show that the mangrove species with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) was Rhizophora apiculata (122.05%), followed by Excoecaria agallocha (42.29%) and Avicennia marina (36.84%), and the lowest IVI was Sonneratia caseolaris (1.48%). Higher IVI values indicate a larger carbon deposit from mangrove vegetation in silvofishery ponds. Our results indicate that mangrove area coverage of 44-80% per hectare in silvofishery ponds can deposit 40-50 tonnes of carbon per hectare and have greater potential carbon stock compared to coverage below 40%. The mangrove management activities with the sylvofishery scheme have a good impact on the community's economy and also maintain the existence of mangroves as carbon storage.

A mid-20th century inventory-based estimate of global terrestrial vegetation carbon stocks

ABSTRACT Terrestrial biomass carbon stocks (BCS) play a vital role in the climate system, but benchmarked estimates prior to the late twentieth century remain scarce. Here, by making use of an early global forest resource assessment and harmonizing information on land use and carbon densities, we establish a global BCS account for the year 1950. Our best-guess BCS estimate is 450.2 PgC (median of all modulations: 517.8 PgC, range: 443.7–584.0 PgC), with ecosystems in Southern America and Western Africa storing c. 27 and 16% of the total respectively. Our estimates are in line with land change emissions estimates and suggest a reduction in BCS of 8–29% compared to the median, with losses in tropical subcontinents partially offset by gains in northern subcontinents. Our study demonstrates an approach to reconstruct global BCS by triangulating different data sources and extends the study of global BCS accounts further back into the twentieth century.