Organic carbon in vegetal biomass of forests in Kyiv region

Carbon sequestrative capacity of forest plant communities is one of the main criteria for the potential for low-carbon development of the country and the fulfillment of international obligations in the context of the Paris climate agreement. The information basis of the research is formed by information from the database of IA "Ukrderzhlisproekt", which contains the detailed biometric characteristics of forest stands located in the research region. Another component is represented by a system of mathematical models for quantitative assessment of live biomass and forest dead organic matter. As a result, in this research we have determined the quantitative values of organic carbon content in live biomass and dead organic matter of forests of Kyiv region. In total, the amount of carbon accumulated in vegetal biomass of the region's forests equals 61.8 million tons, of which 60 % is accounted for by pine stands. The share of carbon accumulated in dead organic matter is 10.5 %. The highest density of sequestered carbon per unit area is typical for ash and oak stands with indicators of 10.08 and 9.921 kg∙(m2)-1, respectively. More than 40 % of organic carbon is accumulated in vegetal biomass of stands of I site index class, which mainly grow in relatively poor forest conditions. Recreational, health-improving and protective forests of the region are characterized by the highest indicators of organic carbon density per unit area – 10.53 and 10.49 kg∙(m2)-1, respectively. Among the objects of the nature reserve fund, the dominant positions in the volume of the studied indicator belong to nature reserves – 82.7 %, national nature parks account for another 8 %. In the total structure of carbon capacity of dead organic matter (6.5 million tons) more than 60% belongs to forest litter. At the same time, carbon content in dead organic matter of coniferous stands equals 4.1 million tons, or 62.9 %. The results of the research will serve as an information basis for the formation of a strategy for regional low-carbon development.

Airborne fungi in Longyearbyen area (Svalbard, Norway) — case study

Studies on the presence of atmospheric fungi in both Arctic and Antarctic polar areas are rare, and many of them were carried out briefly. Currently, when climate change is a fact, polar areas may be subject to various changes and fluctuations, negatively affecting sensitive polar ecosystems. The paper presents the results of tests on presence of fungi in the air over 30 years after the last investigations at the Svalbard Archipelago. A total of fifteen taxa of fungi were isolated in area of Longyearbyen, the majority of which were saprotrophic fungi of the genus Cladosporium that are associated with dead organic matter. Therefore, the presence of this taxon may be a good bioindicator of changes occurring in the Arctic environment, indirectly indicating the melting of glaciers and exposing increasingly larger areas inhabited by microorganisms, including fungi, which increase in number in the air. Additionally, the number of tourists visiting Longyearbyen is increasing, which may significantly affect the number and type of fungi in the air.

Energy content in woody biomass of Zhytomyr Polissia’s forests

Development of renewable energy production is one of the main directions of decarbonizing the Ukraine’s energy sector as well as the forestry sector. Increase in woody biomass utilization efficiency at producing energy, alongside with securing the proper level of technological processes and technical equipment, also requires a reliable information support toolbox that would facilitate managerial decisions. An important constituent of this toolbox is represented by the regional assessments of energy function of forest plant communities. The information basis of the research is formed by the information from the industrial database of IA “Ukrderzhlisproekt”, which contains the detailed biometric characteristics of the stands in the studied region, as well as by a system of mathematical models for quantitative assessment of foersts’ live biomass and dead organic matter. As a result, the quantitative values of the total energy content in live biomass and daed organic matter of Zhytomyr Polissia’s forests were determined. The total amount of energy accumulated in vegetal biomass of the region's forests is 3035.7 PJ, which corresponds to 100.2 million tons of conventional fuel. At the same time, the share of the total energy content in dead organic matter is 11.1 %. The structure of energy content in vegetal biomass in the region is dominated by pine stands, which accumulate more than 60 % of the energy of forests of Zhytomyr region, including 70.8 % - in live biomass of tree trunks. More than 40 % of energy is accumulated in vegetal biomass of stands of I site index class, which mainly grow in fairly infertile forest growth conditions. In the general structure of energy content in dead organic matter (336.2 PJ) more than 60 % belongs to forest litter (212.8 PJ which is not considered a source of renewable energy), standing dead trees 12.3 % (41.3 PJ), dry branches – 17.8 % (close to 60 PJ). The results obtained in the course of the research will serve as an information background for the formation of a strategy for development of forest bioenergy in Zhytomyr region.

Carbon Sequestration Potential and Economic Value in Agroforestry Parkland to Tectona grandis L. f. (Verbenaceae) in Central Africa: A Case Study to Department of Poli (Northern Region in Cameroon)

The vegetation and the afforestation of agricultural land non-forest represent a potential increase in carbon stocks which could, under certain conditions and within certain limits, compensate part of the emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels and deforestations. Quantification of stocks of biomass and carbon dioxide contained in agroforestry systems has become an international priority within the framework of the implementation of REDD+ mechanism. Estimates of stocks of carbon in woody biomass, dead organic matter, belowground biomass, litter, herbaceous and lianas plant biomass were incorporated in allometric equation based on non-destructive method. The total carbon stock evaluated in the parkland of Tectona grandis was 207.34 ton/3ha out of which woody biomass accounted for 130.19 ton/3ha belowground biomass (40.4 ton/3ha), dead organic matter (22.85 ton/3ha), litter (9.09 ton/3ha), herbaceous plant biomass (2.28 ton/3ha) and lianas (2.53 ton/3ha). The aboveground biomass therefore contributed approximately 62.80 % of the total stock of carbon assessed. This show the considerable contribution of Tectona grandis parkland to climate change mitigation in Cameroon.

Ragam Jamur Asal Serasah dan Tanah di Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon Indonesia

Biodiversity is an important aspect which supports life systems on earth as well as maintains ecosystem sustainability and evolution. Fungal communities, in particular, saprophytic fungi, are often ignored during an inventory of biodiversity in the National Park Area. Saprophytic fungi is a fungus obtain nutrients by decomposing dead organisms or other organic material and act as decomposers in the ecosystem. Saprophytic fungi can be found growing on dead organic matter contained in the environment such as soil, wood, and litter. The diversity of Macroscopic saprophytic fungi from Ujung Kulon National Park is reported here. Fungal identification was done by using a variety of macroscopic characters. This study determined eight species that classified into six genera of saprophytic fungi, namely: Collybia, Crepidotus, Hygrocybe, Lepiota, Marasmius, and Mycena. By knowing the diversity of saprophytic fungi, it is expected to add information about biodiversity as a preparation towards the further development of the potential of existing biodiversity in Indonesia.