Carbon Sequestration Potential of Teak (Tectona grandis) Plantations in Kerala

Teak (Tectona grandis) is the most important forest plantation species and it occupies the major area under forest plantations in Kerala. In addition to its value as an ideal timber, it also plays an important role in storing carbon. The silviculture of teak necessitates felling at regular intervals of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years of age. The present study was carried out to estimate the carbon storage in different compartments of teak in each of these felling periods to arrive at an estimate of its carbon sequestration potential. Carbon content of teak biomass was estimated using CHNS analyser. There was slight variation in carbon content between age groups and considerable difference between various parts of the tree. The wood contained around 46%, bark around 32%, branches around 40% and the roots around 45% of carbon. Regression equations were developed to predict the total tree carbon storage from tree measurements. It was found that around 181 ton carbon per hectare is stored by a teak plantation in Kerala during its life time of 50 years by yielding biomass at different stages of thinning operations and at final felling stage.