Plant Community Structure and Carbon Sequestration of the Forest Restoration Areas at Kamnoetvidya Science Academy
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Abstract
This study evaluated the plant community structure, species diversity, and carbon sequestration potential of two distinct forest restoration models at Kamnoetvidya Science Academy, Rayong Province, Thailand. Two silvicultural approaches were observed: (1) Rubber–Palm Intercropping Plots (RPP) and (2) Mixed-Orchard Plots (OP). Vegetation data were collected from 20 x 50 m sample plots in each restoration approach, with each plot subdivided into ten 10 × 10 m subplots, to determine species composition, canopy architecture, and the Importance Value Index (IVI). Biodiversity was quantified using the Shannon–Wiener Index, while biomass and carbon stocks were estimated via established allometric equations. The results revealed higher taxonomic richness in OP (36 species) compared to RPP (25 species), with OP exhibiting higher diversity and evenness indices. Phytosociological analysis identified Hevea brasiliensis as the sole dominant species in RPP, whereas OP displayed a co-dominance of various fruit and indigenous forest species. Despite differences in composition, total carbon stocks were comparable between the two systems, with RPP yielding 45.59 tC/ha and OP yielding 46.23 tC/ha. Carbon distribution was highly concentrated in rubber trees within RPP, while OP exhibited a more heterogeneous distribution across multiple taxa. These findings demonstrate that both integrated agricultural models effectively enhance biodiversity and structural complexity while providing substantial carbon sinks. Consequently, RPP and OP represent viable strategies for rehabilitating degraded agricultural landscapes, contributing to both sustainable land management and global climate change mitigation efforts.
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