Medina, M. A. P. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2020

Carbon Stock of Human-Disturbed Forest Areas in Bukidnon, Philippines

A carbon stock assessment was done on two forest areas in Bukidnon, Philippines specifically in Mt. Kiamo in Kibalabag Village and Mt. Capistrano in Managok Village both in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Using a nested sampling design, tree diameter at breast height as well as tree height were measured. Allometric equations were then used to calculate for the above and below ground biomass density of trees. Destructive sampling was then employed to determine the biomass density of understory and litterfall, while composite sampling was done for soil analysis. Carbon content was then used to compute for the carbon stock of the different carbon pools in the studied ecosystems. The average biomass density of the two areas was found to be 247.80 Mg ha-1 which are closely similar to other areas of the same forest type in Mindanao. Likewise the average carbon stock of the two areas is 143.14 MgC ha-1 which is similar to tree plantations based on previous studies. Furthermore, the said carbon stock is approximately 40% lower than the country average for natural forests (250 MgC ha-1). The results demonstrate the extent of the diminishing carbon sequestration capability of forest areas due to human disturbance.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Carbon Sequestration Potential of Oil Palm Plantations in Southern Philippines

Aside from the greenhouse gas reduction ability of palm oil-based biofuel as alternative to fossil fuels, another essential greenhouse gas mitigation ability of oil palm plantation is in terms of offsetting anthropogenic carbon emissions through carbon sequestration. In this context, this study was done to determine the carbon sequestration potential of oil palm plantations specifically in two areas in Mindanao, Philippines. Allometric equation was used in calculating the biomass of oil palm trunk. Furthermore, destructive methods were used to determine the biomass in other oil palm parts (fronds, leaves, and fruits). Carbon stocks from the other carbon pools in the oil palm plantations were measured which includes understory, litterfall, and soil. Results revealed that the average carbon stock in the oil palm plantations is 40.33 tC/ha. Majority of the carbon stock is found in the oil palm plant (53%), followed by soil (38%), litterfall (6%), and understory, (4%). The average carbon sequestration rate of oil palm plants is estimated to be 4.55 tC/ha/year. It is advised that oil palm expansions should be done on grasslands and barren lands instead of forest lands to avoid incurring "carbon debts". It is also recommended that oil palms should be mixed with shrub crops species to enhance soil organic carbon as well as increase the aboveground biomass in oil palm plantations.

ecology↗