Biomass Carbon Stocks of Pinus kesiya and Succession Trees in Pine Plantations at Boa Kaew Watershed Management Station, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

Biomass carbon stocks of Pinus kesiya and succession trees in 14-34 year-old pine plantations were studied at Boa Kaew watershed management station, Chiang Mai province. Totally sixty three sampling plots, 40 x 40 m² in size (3 plots/age-class) were used. Stem diameter at 1.3 m above ground and height of all trees were measured. Forest biomass varied among plantations, 11,281-39,707 kg/rai, separated to be 3,777-34,032 kg/rai for P. kesiya as, and 1,479-15,057 kg/rai for succession trees. The carbon stocks varied between 5,599-19,820 kg/rai; 1,896-17,036 kg/rai for pine and 636-6,305 kg/rai for the others. The carbon stocks of pine had a trend of increasing with stand ages, but greatly fluctuation was observed. Many factors had influenced on the fluctuation. The succession species had the important role on plantation carbon stocks, and contributed 4.11-71.36% of the total. The majority of  these trees were in the families of  Fagaceae, Theaceae, Myrtaceae, Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Lauraceae.

Keywords:  Pinus kesiya plantations, succession trees, forest biomass, carbon stocks