Changes of CO2 Sequestration by Trees at Pachamalai Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Forest plays a significant role in storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide in plants as well as soil. This paper provides an assessment of the potential of tree growth in different altitudes and its contribution in carbon dioxide sequestration in Pachamalai reserve forest in India. The Pachamalai reserve forest is a part of Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. The amount of biomass and carbon stock was estimated by allometric equation at different altitudes. The results revealed that height and diameter of trees are increasing from lower to higher altitudes. Higher altitude trees attained more height and diameter, especially the trees Tamarindus indica, Ficus benghalensis, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Lepisanthus tetraphyllus, Terminalia paniculata, and Tectona grandis. The presence of total biomass in 15 (10 m × 10 m) quadrats at different altitudes of Pachamalai forest is 1679 tons and it stores 839 tons of carbon. 3081 tCO2 intake by trees in 15 quadrats, thus indicating that Pachamalai reserved forest had sequestered significant level of carbon dioxide. This study is useful for sustainable management of the Pachamalai reserve forest and can help in reducing the pressure on forest resource while sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.