biomass and carbon stock potential of trees growing in a peri-urban park of assam, india

Abstract

Altogether 35 species, belonging to 34 genera and 21 families, were recorded from a peri-urban park of Assam, India. Average diameter at breast height (DBH) of the trees in the park was 27.67±3.73 cm and average density of the trees in the park was 380 stem ha-1. The wood specific gravity (WSG) of Psidium guajava (0.98 g cm-3) was highest and Alstonia scholaris (0.39g cm-3) had the least among the trees in the park. Total above ground biomass (AGB) and total below ground biomass (BGB) of the trees in the park were 369.74 Mg ha-1 and 96.13 Mg ha-1 respectively. The total biomass (TB) and total Carbon stock (TCS) of the trees in the park were 465.87 Mg ha-1 and 232.93 Mg C ha-1 respectively. The CO2 equivalent (CO2 eqv) of the trees in the park was 852.54 Mg ha-1. The park in addition to provide recreation and social gathering space to the people living in the area also functions as embankment to provide flood protection. It acts as home to wildlife particularly birds and small mammals too. Further, it provides ecosystem services such as reducing runoff of rainwater and soil erosion; aesthetic beauty, purified air, filtered noise. On top of all, the trees in the park also counter balance Carbon emissions through Carbon storage and sequestration. Therefore, setting up and management of park even in rural and peri-urban areas can deliver a considerable element to climate change mitigation strategies.