Survival, growth, aboveground biomass, and carbon sequestration of mono and mixed native tree species plantations on the Coromandel Coast of India

Abstract

In India, reforestation programs with native indigenous tree species are a recent activity. Information on experiences comparing mono-and mixed-species plantations is limited. This study aims to estimate growth, aboveground biomass, and carbon sequestration between the mixed-species plantation and mono-species plantation. The growth, survival, height, aboveground biomass, and carbon sequestration of 82 native mixed species plantations were compared with Casuarina equisetifolia an exotic species planted in this region after over a decade (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016). In the mixed species plantation, 7 species showed 100% survival rate and 19 species were not survived after over a decade intervals. While in the mono plantation, C. equisetifolia showed 92% of the survival rate. The growth rate of mixed species when compared to mono plantation, it showed highly significant differences (P < 0:05) values. Simple linear regression between annual girth increment and height produced very strong positive relations (R 2 0.759). The aboveground biomass estimated for the mixed native plantation was 8.007 tonnes and the mono plantation Casuarina had 5.585 tonnes. The total carbon stock estimated for the tree plantation in the two plots (both mixed native and mono) was 7.492 tonnes. A positive correlation was observed between the carbon stock and density of the top 10 species which contributed predominantly to the total carbon stock (rs = 0.773, p < 0.05). Plantation of C. equisetifolia seems to be well adapted and had more carbon stocking potential. On the other hand, mixed plantation with indigenous species would contribute more to sustainable management and they provide great shelters for many faunal communities and provide a greater range of ecological goods and ecosystem services than the mono plantations.

Plantation understorey legume functional groups enhance soil organic carbon sequestration by promoting species richness

“…The positive effects of USR on SOC sequestration (Figure 2a) can be ascribed to high diversity leading to higher production of aboveground and root biomass, enhancing SOC input (Cong et al, 2014). Although some small‐scale observations and N‐addition experiments revealed negative relationships between diversity and productivity (Jiang et al, 2009), many studies have confirmed the positive diversity–productivity relationship in forests and grasslands (Anbarashan et al, 2020; Cong et al, 2014; Fornara & Tilman, 2009; Hulvey et al, 2013; Steinbeiss et al, 2008). The positive effects of diversity on productivity may be even higher in naturally assembled communities than manipulative experiments (Flombaum & Sala, 2008).…”

Carbon Sequestration in the Green Open Spaces along Primary Road of Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, Indonesia`

“…Open green spaces were analyzed with a holistic approach, and a multi-dimensional framework (ecological, recreational, and disaster oriented) was presented, emphasizing its integration with spatial planning by Senik and Uzun [29]. According to Anbarashan et al [30], mixed-species plantings had higher values of carbon sequestration than mono plantations. Vasagadekar et al [31] studied urban trees not only for beauty and aesthetic purposes but also for their carbon sequestration potential to combat climate change at the local level.…”

Influence of Cupressus lusitanica Mill. Cones and Seed Characterization on Germination in Kenya

“…55% of forest plantation area [5,6]. This species has wide uses mainly for timber, plywood, fuel wood, poles production, live hedges and carbon sequestration [7][8][9]. These myriad uses has caused a surge in demand for propagation by seed [10].…”