Carbon stock in Kolli forests, Eastern Ghats (India) with emphasis on aboveground biomass, litter, woody debris and soils

background

Carbon estimates for India’s forests are inadequate because they are largely based on secondary data. While actual carbon estimates exist in some locales, a nationwide carbon inventory is needed. This study contributes an evaluation of above- and belowground biomass and carbon stocks in the Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats, Tamilnadu.

research goals & methods

The study includes 26 plots (125 m2) established across different forest types in the Kolli hills. The plot locations represent variations in elevation, aspect, precipitation, species diversity and abundance, stand density and crown conditions. Above ground biomass was estimated based on DBH and allometric height. Litter and CWD samples were measured using ignition and soil samples from three depth classes up to 30cm generated SOC following wet oxidation method. Different size classes dominated in different forest types; greater above ground biomass was held in trees between 30-90cm DBH in deciduous forest types, while plantations held more biomass in trees of 30-60cm DBH. Other forest types were not dominated by a single size class.

conclusions & takeaways

Extrapolated across the entire Kolli forest at 26,587 Ha, 4.49 Tg C were held in above ground biomass; 34.13 GgC in surface litter; 1.02 GgC in CWD; and 5.54 TgC in soils. Deciduous forests held greatest carbon stocks across all types of material.