Carbon sequestration potential of tropical deciduous forests of Nallamalais, India

We estimated the standing biomass and carbon sequestration potential of tropical deciduous forests of Nallamalais, a centre of plant diversity located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 30 randomly stratified sample sites comprising 12 ha area were inventoried following a non-destructive method. The total standing biomass and carbon stocks of the study area are estimated as 56.047 Mt and 26.34 Mt respectively. Among all life forms, trees are the main contributors of standing biomass and carbon stocks in the study area accounting for 96.72% of the above-ground live biomass. The carbon stock accounted for Nallamalais is equivalent to 97.568 Mt of sequestered atmospheric carbon dioxide. With respect to total carbon stock of Indian forests worked out in different studies, Nallamalais share 0.26% to 0.90% of the total carbon stocks of India.

Author(s): Vendrapati Srinivasa Rao and Boyina Ravi Prasad Rao*

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