Bio-Forest Assessment and Carbon Storage Potential of Melaleuca Forest in the Community Forest of Thung Bang Nok Ohk in the Lower Songkhla Lake Basin

Abstract

This survey study was conducted to assess the condition of the Melaleuca forest and the carbon storage capacity of Melaleuca Cajuputi trees in the community forest of Thung Bang Nok Ohk, Tambon Khuan So, Khuan Niang District, Songkhla Province in which the study areas were community forests in Mu 8, Ban Suan, and Mu 11, Ban Bo Wa.  The study found that Thung Bang Nok Ohk forest was abundant with Melaleuca Cajuputi trees.  In the community forest in Mu 8, the density was 200 trees per Rai, and the Melaleuca Cajuputi trees had different numbers of growth rings and with diameters of less than 30 centimeters to 91-120 centimeters.  In the community forest of Mu 11, Ban Bo Wa, the density of Melaleuca Cajuputi trees was 176 trees per Rai with most of the trees having diameters in the range 30-60 centimeters, followed by those with diameters of less than 30 centimeters, and 61-90 centimeters.  Therefore, the carbon storage capacities of the two forests were different; the community forest of Mu 8 was more fertile and, thus with higher carbon storage potential, that is, 62.64 tons of carbon per Rai while that of the community forest of Mu 11 was 10.75 tons of carbon per Rai.  Hence, the fertility of the forest and the sizes of Melaleuca Cajuputi trees are related to carbon storage potential of the forest that is related with the way of life of people in the community in terms of community socio-economic conditions and environment.  This is because the community can utilize forest biodiversity in a diversified ways, and the forest acts as the lungs of the community purifying the air in addition to being a buffer against natural disasters.

Keywords: Carbon Storage, Melaleuca Cajuputi Trees, Community Forest, Thung Bang Nok Ohk Forest, Songkhla Lake Basin