Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Stock of Lianas along the Watershed Area of Pergau, Jeli, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A preliminary inventory on the above ground biomass and carbon stock of liana associated with landscape-scale fragmentation induced by the Pergau dam along the watershed area of Sungai Long II intake in Jeli, Kelantan was executed. A total of 67 liana individuals (≥1 cm dbh) was enumerated in 0.15 ha of surveyed plot. Lianas with dbh range between 0.06 to 0.95cm were found to be dominant in the inventory site, comprising 41.8% of the proportional abundance followed by 40.3% of lianas with dbh in the range of 1.05 to 1.94cm. The least encountered dbh of lianas were 3.82cm and 4.14cm respectively (1.5%). The total above ground biomass was estimated 37.9 t ha-1 within the inventory site. The contribution of liana biomass to total above ground biomass has been estimated 6.5%, extremely lower than the total above ground biomass contributed by the thirteen host trees (545.3 t ha-1). Carbon sequestration by lianas was estimated 19.8 t C ha-1, contributing 6.8% in response to level off high CO2 whilst the carbon stock of the host trees was estimated 272.6 t C ha-1. It could be suggested that ecosystems along the Sungai Long II in Pergau, Kelantan have been disturbed and this was based on the high abundance of liana. Although the above ground biomass of lianas was lesser than the host trees, the liana population size should be controlled and in equilibrium within the ecosystem. To ensure the stability of the ecosystem, regular silviculture treatment should be executed in the highly liana infected area.