Carbon sequestration potential of trees at the makiling botanic gardens, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines estimated using allometric equations
Abstract
©Rushing Water Publishers Ltd. 2016. The carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of trees with minimum diameter at breast height (dbh) of 10 cm and above was estimated using allometric equations in a study conducted at the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG), University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna. The study specifically computed for the aboveground biomass of all trees in the area; determined the carbon stock potential and ultimately, came up with a database showing the spatial distribution of trees in MBG. Three hundred ninety-seven trees were inventoried distributed in 96 species and 38 families. Results showed that for trees of 10-30 cm dbh, the total accumulated biomass content was 232,656.10 kg. Also the total estimated carbon content (CC) was 116,328.03 kg with total CSP of 426,493.46 kg. For trees with dbh of 31-75 cm, the total accumulated biomass content was 1,432,167.00 kg. The total estimated CC was 731,947.10 kg with total CSP value of 2,681,501.23 kg. For trees with the minimum dbh of 75 cm and above, the total accumulated biomass content was 1,234,150.00 kg. The total CC was 617,075.23 kg with a total CSP of 2,260,347.00 kg. The total biomass accumulated by MBG was 2,898,973.10 kg. Its total CC was 1,465,350.36 kg. The overall CSP was 5,368,341.70 kg. Further studies need to be conducted to generate more accurate data on CSP as well as other essential information that are vital inputs for future management and monitoring of MBG.