Carbon sequestration and production of eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations on marginal sandy agricultural lands

Abstract

Among different available options of storing and sequestering the atmospheric carbon, the use of perennial woody vegetation is an efficient, cheaper and environmental friendly strategy. Understanding the growth habit of trees under hostile environmental conditions and their capacity to sequester CO2 is of great interest for forestry scientists. The main objectives of the study were to analyze the growth habit of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on sandy marginal lands, assess the tree carbon stocks on sandy soils and to examine the potential of study area to play a role in environmental improvement while reducing the atmospheric CO2. The study was carried out in Noorpur Thal region of Punjab. A survey of the study area was carried out through a pre-tested questionnaire and measurements of trees were taken in situ to calculate the biomass and carbon stocks. It was found that 19.47% of the Noorpur Thal region was covered by Eucalyptus plantations while this area can be potentially covered up to 55%. The growth habit and biomass production of Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees was excellent when grown on marginal sandy soils with proper irrigation. The total carbon stocks present were about 1.80 Mega ton and the CO2 sequestration rate was observed about 6.58 Mega ton year-1. However, at 55% potential, this area can sequester the 18.59 Mega ton of C worth about US$ 1459.315 million. This study might be extended to quantify the CO2 sequestration potential if further 6.5 million hectares saline and waterlogged marginal lands are afforested in Pakistan with Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations.