Distribution pattern of aboveground biomass in natural and plantation forests of humid tropics in northeast India

摘要

Tree aboveground biomass (AGB) distribution and carbon storage in different DBH (diameter at breast height) classes were compared between natural semi-evergreen forest and sal plantation forest in the humid tropical region of northeast India. The natural forest had lower AGB (323.9 Mg ha(-1)) than the plantation forest (406.4 Mg ha(-1)). About 49% of the AGB was present in > 60 cm dbh trees in the natural forest against 24% in the plantation. forest. The carbon storage was highest in 60-80 cm and 40-60 cm dbh classes in the natural forest and plantation forest, respectively. The differential AGB and carbon distribution pattern has been related to past disturbance history and age of the forests. Although both the forests had potential for carbon sequestration due to presence of large number of trees belonging to small dbh classes, the plantation forest had an edge over the natural forest because of better silvicultural practices.