Carbon sequestration potential of nitrogen-fixing tree stands

Abstract

We compared the C storage of two nitrogen-fixing trees in mixed and monospecific plantations to investigate the C sequestration potential after 10 years of their establishment. The study was carried out in three types of plantation, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC. pure (P1DS), Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit pure (P2LL) and mixed plantation of D. sissoo and L. leucocephala (P3DS.LL). The results of the study indicated that, P3DS.LL sequestered 34.30 ± 0.24 t yr-1 ha-1 CO2 compared to 27.35 ± 0.19 t yr-1 ha-1 in P1DS and 19.81 ± 0.44 t yr-1 ha-1 in P2LL. Total carbon storage was also maximum in P3DS.LL (93.47 ± 0.67 t ha-1) followed by P1DS (74.54 ± 0.53 t ha-1) and P2LL (53.98 ± 1.21 t ha-1). This indicates that L. leucocephala has synergetic effect with D. sissoo to enhance the carbon sequestration potential when interplanted together. The study revealed that mixed plantation of N-fixer trees have potential to sequester more carbon than same species in monoculture. The study concluded that in reforestation or afforestation program the synergic effect of N-fixer trees can be helpful projects to offset more C emissions.

Keywords

• carbon sequestration
• dalbergia sissoo
• leucaena leucocephala
• nitrogenfixing
• pure
• mixed