Potential of Plantation Trees for Biomass and Carbon Sequestration in Foothills of Jakanari Forest, Coimbatore, Western Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Afforestation and reforestation have a greater potential for appropriate absorbtion of carbon from environment that helps in mitigating and reducing the global warming nature of both the developing and developed countries. Hence, the present study for assessing the carbon sequestration potential of 7 trees (Dalbergia latifolia, Albizia lebbeck, Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, Swietenia macrophylla, Tectona grandis, and Terminalia bellirica) have been evaluated in Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI), Mettupalayam in the surroundings of the Jakanari Reserve Forest, Northern part of Coimbatore for its biomass of trees, biomass carbon, ecophysiological (Photosynthesis and Transpiration rate) attributes and carbon isotope discrimination potential of trees. The study revealed that Dalbergia sissoo and Tectona grandis have the highest potential for biomass and biomass carbon production and as well as these two species also performed well under the eco-physiological condition by having the highest potential of growing in water scarcity conditions through carbon isotope discrimination identification. Dalbergia latifolia and Swietenia macrophylla are not able to cope with the prevailing dry condition; hence these species can be used for moist land conditions. Confirmation of the present study reveals that the Dalbergia sissoo and Tectona grandis are the best suitable tree species recommended for maximum carbon sequestration potential.