Terrestrial Biomass and Carbon Stock in Broad-leaved Forests of Punakha District, Western Bhutan

Abstract

The present study assessed the terrestrial biomass of broad-leaved forests to determine the carbon storage potential of each tree species in Punakha. The assessment was based on a woody stem having a minimum of 10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height. Biomass was estimated using volumetric equations and carbon stock by multiplying the constant factor 0.5 to biomass. The study covered 41 sampling plots of 31.62 m × 31.62 m and recorded a total of 24 tree species. Total biomass was 274.68 Mg.ha-1 with AGTB 196.36 Mg.ha-1, BGTB 51.07 Mg.ha-1 and DOM 27.22 Mg.ha-1. The total carbon stock estimated was 137.34 MgC.ha-1. The present study used a non-destructive approach to assess the carbon storage potential of each broad-leaved tree species and concludes that Punakha broad-leaved forest has the potential to accumulate more biomass and carbon stock, as DBH class-wise biomass and carbon distribution showed right-skewed trend indicating young forest stands.

Keywords

• carbon stock, terrestrial biomass broad-leaved forest, volumetric equation