Quantification of Carbon Stocks and Sequestration Potential through Existing Agroforestry Systems in the Hilly Kupwara District of Kashmir Valley in India

Carbon sequestration and credit potential of gamhar (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) based agroforestry system for zero carbon emission of India

The agroforestry system is the best option to achieve the net zero carbon emissions target for India. Keeping this view, carbon sequestration and credit potential of gamhar based agroforestry system has been assessed. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design in seven different treatments with five replications. Gamhar tree biomass accumulation was higher in gamhar based agroforestry system compared to sole gamhar. Among different tree components, stem contributed a maximum to total gamhar tree biomass followed by roots, leaves and branches. The average contributions of stems, roots, leaves and branches in total tree biomass in two annual cycles (2016-17 and 2017-18) varied between 50 and 60, 19.8 and 20, 19.2 and 20, and 10.7 and 12.7 percent, respectively. In case of crops, above ground, below ground and total biomass was significantly higher in sole intercrops than gamhar based agroforestry system. Total (Tree + interrops + Soil) carbon stock, carbon sequestration, carbon credit and carbon price were significantly affected by treatments, and was maximum in Sole Greengram-Mustard. Net carbon emission was also recorded lowest in Sole Greengram-Mustard for which the values were 811.55% and 725.24% and 760.69% lower than Sole Gamhar in 2016-17, 2017-18 and in pooled data, respectively.

Structure, diversity and ecological function of shrub species in an urban setup of Sarguja, Chhattisgarh, India

The vegetation plays important role in urban environment and associated ecology. Urban vegetation experienced various changes due to biotic and natural interference which alter the vegetation structure, function and ecology. The present study deals with the assessment of shrub species structure, diversity, biomass, volume, C storage and CO₂ mitigation potential in an urban setup. Total four sites were selected, viz., east, west, north and south directions of Ambikapur City. A sum of eight shrub species representing seven families was recorded in Ambikapur City area. The highest representatives were recorded towards east direction (seven species with six families) and lowest towards south direction (five species with five families). The total density of shrubs ranged between 230 and 570 individual ha^- 1 being highest at east direction and least at south direction. The higher diversity was found at east direction. The shrub biomass was ranged between 0.999 and 2.603 t/ha being highest at north direction and lowest at east direction. The shrub volume, C storage and CO₂ mitigation values reflected similar trend as in case of shrub biomass. The shrub volume, C stock and CO₂ mitigation values were ranged from 0.141 to 0.250 m³/ha, 0.437 to1.132 t/ha and 1.597 to 4.156 t/ha, respectively, among the various sites. The species like Cestrum nocturnum and Nerium oleander are found to be potential in terms of various ecological services such as biomass, C storage and CO₂ mitigation in different sites. However, Lantana camara was also found to be potential species under urban setup which can be utilized for its various ecological functions. Further, it was found that the contribution of the non-native species was higher over native species in terms of stand density, basal area, biomass, C stock, volume and CO₂ mitigation potential among different study sites.