Dynamics of Dry Dipterocarp Forest and Carbon Sequestration at Nongyai Community Forest, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

The study on dynamics of dry dipterocarp forest and carbon sequestration was conducted at Nongyai community forest, Kanchanaburi province. The study was carried out on 90 x 90 meter permanent plot aiming at clarification on dry dipterocarp forest dynamics and carbon sequestration of the community forest which was managed by communities from adjacent villages. The measurement includes diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height of both trees and saplings, seedlings were counted for quantity changes. The data were of the years 2013 and 2016 compared by diversity index, importance value index, gain of biomass and carbon accumulations that were calculated by using allometric equations.

The results revealed that Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurz, Sindora siamensis Teijsm. ex Miq, Xylia xylocarpa Taub, Shorea obtusa Wall and Shorea siamensis Miq were the most abundant, widely distributed and dominant tree species. Slightly difference was found between 2013 and 2016 in terms of plant species changes, number and species diversity. That were, in 2016 number of seedlings were increased 3 species; sapling were increased 2 species while only one tree species was decreased. Shannon-Wiener index of 2016 was 2.59, comparing to the result of 2013 , it decreased by 0.01 while evenness index was the same; richness index had a slightly decreased .Biomass content and aboveground carbon accumulation in 2013 were 11,489.42 kg/rai and 5,400.02 kg/rai, respectively, in 2016 were 13,404.99 kg/rai and 6,300.35 kg/rai, respectively. Three years, gain of biomass were 1,915.57 kg/rai; gain of carbon accumulation were 900.33 kg/ rai or mean annual increment of biomass was 638.53 kg/rai/year and mean annual increment of carbon accumulation was 300.11 kg/rai/year.