Carbon Storage Potential of Temperate Mixed Coniferous Trees in Community Forests of Bumthang

Abstract

Forest ecosystems capture and store a large amount of carbon over long stretches of time. International financial incentive such as UN REDD+ to mitigate climate change needs adequate records on the net carbon stocks available in the forests. To estimate the potential carbon stocks in the temperate mixed coniferous forests of Bhutan, a study was conducted in Siptangzur and Shambayung Community Forests (CF), the oldest CFs in Bumthang Dzongkhag. The total aboveground biomass of trees was estimated using an allometric equation based on trunk diameter developed by the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS). Biomass estimate was converted to forest carbon stock. The study was conducted in the forests dominated by blue pine and spruce. 60% of the trees had diameters of less than 20cm, suggesting a high potential of increasing biomass over time. The above ground biomass for Siptangzur and Shambayung CFs based on sample area was 67.74 t ha-1 and 205.28 t ha-1 respectively.

The total carbon stock at Siptangzur and Shambayung was 4619.49 ton and 6650.29 ton respectively. The results show high carbon stocks and future increase of biomass available for carbon sequestration.