Assessment of aboveground biomass and carbon storage in bamboo species in sub-tropical bamboo forests of Mizoram, north-east India

Bamboo forests cover about 57% of the total forest area in Mizoram and most dominant bamboo species include Melocanna baccifera, Dendrocalamus longispathus, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. The present study aims to determine aboveground biomass and carbon storage in five bamboo species viz. M. baccifera, D. longispathus, D. hamiltonii, Bambusa tulda and Schizostachyum dullooa in Mamit district, Mizoram. A total of 33 sample plots were laid and aboveground biomass was studied using harvesting method. Diameter of bamboo was divided into three diameter classes as <3 cm, 3–5 cm and >5 cm. The culm density was highest in 3–5 cm diameter class. Total aboveground biomass in five bamboo species was D. londgispathus (214 Mg ha⁻¹) >M. baccifera (169 Mg ha⁻¹)>B. tulda(111 Mg ha⁻¹)>D. hamiltonii (101 Mg ha⁻¹)>S. dullooa (41 Mg ha⁻¹). Aboveground biomass in <3 cm diameter class was highest in D. longispathus (23.82 Mg ha⁻¹) and lowest in S. dullooa (8.28 Mg ha⁻¹) whereas aboveground biomass in 3-5cm and <5cm ranged from 14.15 - 81.23 Mg ha⁻¹ and 17.84 - 109.88 Mg ha⁻¹ respectively. Carbon storage in >3 cm was (4–12 Mg ha⁻¹), 3–5 cm (7–41 Mg ha⁻¹) and > 5 cm (9–54 Mg ha⁻¹). This study demonstrates that bamboo has potential in enhancing carbon stock and important contribution in carbon stabilization to mitigate climate change impact efficiently.