Diversity and carbon stock assessment of an indigenous Philippine tree farm

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the species diversity and carbon stock potential of the one-hectare Indigenous Tree Farm at Bohol Island State University-Bilar in the province of Bohol, Philippines. Following its establishment in 2014, trees within the project area have been monitored for species richness and growth rates. Growth rates were calculated using basal diameter, diameter at breast height, and total height. An allometric equation utilizing species presence and growth data was used to calculate projected carbon sequestering potential within the next five years. Forty-four species of trees, including endangered and vulnerable species, were identified within the project site. The species diversity within the site was found to be 2.90 (moderate). There were a total of 1,342 individual trees whose combined carbon load was calculated to be 9.21 tons.