Geospatial technology based diversity and above ground biomass assessment of woody species of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

Comprehending the prominence of forest carbon in climate change, this study was piloted in different land use of West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India to record the floristic composition, community characteristics, and above ground biomass (AGB) carbon using random sampling and geospatial approach. Preliminary field survey was done in 2016. Altogether 45 quadrats (0.1 ha each) were laid. Total tree richness recorded was 164 species from 49 families. Dominance and frequency distribution pattern of species revealed heterogeneity in composition with majority species showing clumped distribution. Plantations showed highest tree density while mixed dense forest showed maximum basal area (58.89 m2 ha−1). Estimated AGB were 218.21 ton/ha for mixed dense forest, 84.94 ton/ha for abandoned forest, and 105.09 ton/ha for plantations. Total estimated carbon stocks were 120.01, 46.17, and 57.80 ton/ha for mixed dense, abandoned forest, and plantations, respectively. Predicted average AGB using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques was 163.25 ton/ha. Field-based AGB was slightly greater than the values observed from satellite data. Findings of the study may be useful for calculating total biomass and carbon stored in the major land cover of the district in particular and region in general. It will also support in future studies for calculating the long-term data on biomass carbon sequestration.