Soil and biomass carbon stocks in forest and agricultural lands in tropical climates

Abstract

This study aims to assess the carbon storage capability of dominant vegetative land covers in Thailand by estimating biomass, biomass carbon and soil carbon stocks. Above-ground biomass was estimated from allometric equation or actual raw yield. Soil organic carbon was analyzed according to the Chromic acid titration method. Results show that above-ground biomass carbon for irrigated rice, sugarcane, mature Para rubber, degraded rain forest and mixed deciduous forest were 0.8- 1.3, 11.1, 91.5, 56.6 and 60.5 tonne C ha-1, respectively; whereas topsoil carbon at 0-30 cm were 14.9-21.3, 11.3-13.8, 34.2, 54.6 and 77.7-136.9 tonne C ha-1, respectively. Additional studies on the roles of leaf litters involving soil carbon and effects of agricultural practices on carbon storage capability should be considered. Furthermore, advantages of bio-fuel over the lost organic carbon in agricultural systems and decline in crop yield could be also taken into account.

Keywords

• biomass carbon
• soil carbon
• carbon stock
• agro-ecosystem