Biomass and Carbon Stock in Forest Plantations: Manipulation Through Spacing

Eucalyptus urophylla ST. Blake is one of the fast growing tree species introduced to India as pulp wood species. Several efforts were made to standardize the silvicultural practices for this species in captive plantations. The present study was conducted on assessment of biomass and carbon stock in different spacing regimes for specific clone EUB 31 of E. urophyllaunder tropical humid conditions of Karnataka. After six years of planting, growth parameters, biomass and carbon stock were evaluated. Spacing had significant effect onbiomass and carbon stock of the trees. Biomass of trees under different spacing regimes varied from 89.6 Mg ha⁻¹ to 119.6 Mg ha⁻¹. Significantly higher value for total biomass was found in 2.00 m × 3.00 m and least was with 2.75 m × 3.00 m spacing (89.6 Mg ha⁻¹). Carbon stock for different spacing was ranging from 42.1 Mg ha⁻¹ to 56.2 Mg ha⁻¹. Among the different spacing regimes, closer spacing (2.00 m × 3.00 m) was found to have higher carbon stock and mean annual carbon sequestration compared to wider spacing. The carbon sequestered annually had a significant difference among the spacing regimes with values ranging from 7.02 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (2.75 m × 3.00 m)to 9.37 (m × 3.00 m) Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Thus, biomass production and carbon sequestration in trees can be manipulated with spacing.