Estimation of Carbon Stock Value of Woody Plants in Mixed Deciduous Forest in Erawan National Park, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

                We estimate the carbon stock value of woody plants in mixed deciduous forest at Erawan national park, Kanchanaburi province with the aim to investigate the plant community characteristics, amount of biomass, carbon stock, and its value evaluation. Three groups of canopy density were selected using canopy density characteristics from Google earth satellite imagery. These included dark green areas in which the color intensity of the light system was between 38000000 - 40000000, representing a high canopy density, green area in which the color intensity of the light system was between 46000000 - 48000000, representing a medium canopy density, and light green area in which the color intensity of the light system was between 54000000 - 56000000, representing a low canopy density. We sampled each area type with three sample plots of size 40 m x 40 m, for a total of nine plots. All tree and bamboo species in each sample plot were identified and measured for the diameter at breast height and height. The importance value index, Shannon-Wiener’s species diversity index, amount of biomass, carbon stock, and carbon stock were analyzed. 

            The results found that the highest importance value index in the high canopy density sampled plots was of Croton persimilis. The Shannon-Wiener’s index, amount of biomass, carbon stock, and value of carbon stock of high canopy density were 2.26, 246.11 t ha^-1, 115.67 tC ha^-1, and 313,951.79 Baht, respectively. The highest importance value index in the medium canopy density sampled plots was again estimated for C. persimilis. The Shannon-Wiener’s index, amount of biomass, carbon stock, and value of carbon stock in the sampled plots were 2.99, 170.00 t ha^-1, 80.12 tC ha^-1, and 217,463.48 Baht, respectively. Finally, the highest importance value index in the low canopy density sampled plots was estimated for Gwewia taevigata. The Shannon-Wiener’s index, amount of biomass, carbon stock, and value of carbon stock in the low canopy density plots were 3.42, 120.76 t ha^-1, 56.76 tC ha^-1, and 154,054.92 Baht, respectively. These data can be used as a guideline for managing areas in order to increase the amount of carbon stock and mitigate the issues related to greenhouse gas emissions that play an important role in causing climate change.