scholarly journals Assessment of Above-Ground Biomass in Pakistan Forest Ecosystem’s Carbon Pool: A Review

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 586
Author(s):  
Ishfaq Ahmad Khan ◽  
Waseem Razzaq Khan ◽  
Anwar Ali ◽  
Mohd Nazre

Climate change is acknowledged as a global threat to the environment and human well-being. Forest ecosystems are a significant factor in this regard as they act both as a sink and a source of carbon. Forest carbon evaluation has received more attention after the Paris Agreement. Pakistan has 5.1% forest cover of its total land area, which comprises nine forest types. This study covers the studies conducted on above-ground biomass and carbon stock in various forest types of Pakistan. Most of the studies on biomass and carbon stock estimation have been conducted during 2015–2020. The non-destructive method is mostly followed for carbon stock estimation, followed by remote sensing. The destructive method is used only for developing allometric equations and biomass expansion factors. The information available on the carbon stock and biomass of Pakistan forest types is fragmented and sporadic. Coniferous forests are more important in carbon sequestration and can play a vital role in mitigating climate change. Pakistan is a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol and still lacks regional and national level studies on biomass and carbon stock, which are necessary for reporting under the Kyoto Protocol. This study will help researchers and decision-makers to develop policies regarding Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+), conservation, sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks

2022 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 0-0

Under the background of carbon neutrality, the carbon sequestration of forest ecosystems is an important way to mitigate climate change. Forest could not only protect the environment but also an important industry for economic development. As an international climate policy that first recognized the role of forest carbon sinks on climate change, the question becomes, has the Kyoto Protocol promoted the development of forest carbon sinks in contracting parties? To explore this, data of forest can be obtained at the national level. Hence, data of economic, social, polity and climate in 147 countries is also collected. The generalized synthetic control method is adopted. The results show that the policy effect of the Kyoto Protocol was obvious and significant. Moreover, the effect was more significant after the enforcement in 2005. Especially after the first commitment period, the policy effect of the second period is more obvious. Some policy implications are drawn.


1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
SK Baral ◽  
R Malla ◽  
S Ranabhat

This study assessed the above-ground carbon stock in the five major forest types, representing two physiographic regions and four districts of Nepal. Altogether, 116 circular sample plots were laid out systematically in different forests types to inventory the forest. Total above-ground biomass was derived with allometric equations. Results indicated variation in age of the stand (18-75 years), above-ground carbon stock per hectare (34.30- 97.86 dry wt. ton ha-1) and rate of carbon sequestration (1.30-3.21 t ha-1yr-1), according to different forest types. The rate of carbon sequestration by different forest types depended on the growing nature of the forest stands. Tropical riverine and Alnus nepalensis forest types demonstrated the highest carbon sequestration rates in Nepal. Key Words: Above-ground biomass; carbon; forest types; Nepal DOI: 10.3126/banko.v19i2.2979 Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No.2 2009 pp.10-14


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Negar Tavasoli ◽  
Hossein Arefi

Assessment of forest above ground biomass (AGB) is critical for managing forest and understanding the role of forest as source of carbon fluxes. Recently, satellite remote sensing products offer the chance to map forest biomass and carbon stock. The present study focuses on comparing the potential use of combination of ALOSPALSAR and Sentinel-1 SAR data, with Sentinel-2 optical data to estimate above ground biomass and carbon stock using Genetic-Random forest machine learning (GA-RF) algorithm. Polarimetric decompositions, texture characteristics and backscatter coefficients of ALOSPALSAR and Sentinel-1, and vegetation indices, tasseled cap, texture parameters and principal component analysis (PCA) of Sentinel-2 based on measured AGB samples were used to estimate biomass. The overall coefficient (R2) of AGB modelling using combination of ALOSPALSAR and Sentinel-1 data, and Sentinel-2 data were respectively 0.70 and 0.62. The result showed that Combining ALOSPALSAR and Sentinel-1 data to predict AGB by using GA-RF model performed better than Sentinel-2 data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 100-113
Author(s):  
M. G. Origenes ◽  
R. L. Lapitan

It is documented that the amounts of carbon stored and its level of degradation in different forests compositions and different types of forest is mostly unknown, Philippines is no exemption as little was done in some places of this country. This study was conducted to assess carbon stock through above ground biomass of trees at different forest composition in Mt. Malindawag. There were three (3) 20m x 20m sample plots (quadrats) (400m2 equivalent to 0.04 ha) established as replicate plots provided with 50m intervals. Forest composition such as the Agroforestry area, mixed forest area and the Plantation forest were assessed in terms of the number of individuals, number of species, diameter, and height to calculate the biomass, tree biomass density as well as the carbon stock. Based on the results of the study conducted in different forest compositions of Mt. Malindawag, plantation forest has the highest carbon stocking rate. However, these results were not significantly different from the other forest composition. This was associated with a higher accumulated diameter, which resulted in higher biomass and eventually carbon stock. Species found in this forest composition are productive and have lesser number of individuals; therefore, there is lesser competition for resources such as light. Such a mechanism might contribute to the higher biomass and carbon stock. However, the result may not be right to other areas due to uncontrollable factors, anthropogenic and environmental factors. Hence, it is recommended to have further studies on areas where trees have similar age, species diversity index as well as stand development and site productivity for a more accurate and quantifiable carbon stock.


Author(s):  
Kezang Choden ◽  
Bhagat Suberi ◽  
Purna Chettri

Forests are natural carbon reservoirs that play an important role in the global carbon cycle for storing large quantities of carbon in vegetation and soils. Carbon stored in pool helps in mitigating climate change by carbon sequestration. The vulnerable countries to changing climate such as Bhutan, Nepal, and India require a full understanding of carbon dynamics as well as baseline data on carbon stock potential to mitigate anticipated risks and vulnerabilities (RVs) through climate change. The scope of such RVs are trans boundary in nature, however, the comparative studies at regional scale are still scanty. Therefore, the aim of this review is to assess the carbon stock potentials of selected forest types in the eastern Himalayan area, with an emphasis on Bhutan, India, and Nepal. This review paper is based on published articles, information from websites and considerable data from National forestry reports of India and Bhutan; emphasizing on aboveground biomass and soil organic carbon stock. The review showed that carbon stock potential is highly dependent on stand density, above-ground biomass, species richness and forest types. The sub-tropical forest was found to have larger carbon capacity and sequestration potential. SOC concentration and tree biomass stocks were significantly higher at the high altitude where there is less human disturbance. In general, forest coverage has increased compare to previous year in Bhutan, India and Nepal which ultimately leads to higher carbon stock potential. It is mainly due to strong policies and different strategies for conservation of forest management have reduced mass destruction despite a growing population. Despite the rules, deforestation continues to occur at various scales. However, it can be stated that the government and citizens are working hard to increase carbon stock potential, mostly through afforestation and community forest creation. In addition, it is recommended to practice sustainable forest management, regulated and planned cutting of trees and proper forest products utilization.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nyadzi ◽  
Mathew I. S. Ezenwa ◽  
Benjamin K. Nyarko ◽  
A. A. Okhimamhe ◽  
Thomas T. Bagamsah ◽  
...  

Biomass burning in Northern Ghana is a major cause for concern because of its potential contribution to global warming, hence climate change. This study assessed the emission of trace gases from human activities in the Guinea savanna of Northern Ghana using the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Carbon content of biomass was determined from four different vegetation covers in the study area; namely, widely open savanna woodland, grass/herb with scattered trees, open savanna woodland and closed savanna woodland. Under each vegetation cover, five plots (1 m x 1 m) were demarcated for the estimation of above-ground biomass density. Using the combustion furnace method, emitted carbon, methane and carbon monoxide were estimated. Results showed that the emitted methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO) differed significantly (p<0.05) under all the vegetation types. The gases were in perfect correlation (r=1.00) with the quantity of above-ground biomass density and carbon released, with more CO being emitted. Emission of CH4 and CO per hectare of burnt area in the open savanna woodland category was the highest with 0.001719 ton and 0.045119 ton respectively. Over time, emission of these gases may increase their atmospheric concentration, causing major health problems. The contribution to global warming, thus climate change, may also become quite significant. This underscores the fact that existing flaws in the wild fire management policy of Ghana must be effectively dealt with and appropriately implemented with regular reviews to reduce the annual wild fires that are very rampant in Northern Ghana, especially during the dry season.


Climate Law ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Horstmann ◽  
Achala Chandani Abeysinghe

The Adaptation Fund of the Kyoto Protocol is seen by many as a model for financing adaptation activities, which should also play a strong role in the institutional design of the Green Climate Fund under the UNFCCC. The article analyses whether the status of operationalization of the Adaptation Fund meets international institutional criteria and requirements for an effective and efficient fund arrangement. These are derived from the UNFCCC and the Paris Agenda on Aid Effectiveness. The analysis shows that the Adaptation Fund meets most of the funding requirements. Due to its institutional features, particularly the direct-access modality, the Adaptation Fund has the potential to practically link international climate change with development finance for adaptation to climate change. However, the analysis also shows that there are a number of challenges remaining, including criteria which the fund does not meet yet and the practical implementation of fund operations, particularly at the national level.


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