European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
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Development <strong>of</strong> Organic Carbon Sequestration Models for Dipterocarpus Turbinatus,<br />
Acacia Auriculiformis and Eucalyptus Camaldulensis and their Potentialit 448<br />
Key words: Sequestration, Allometric model, Dipterocarpus turbinatus Gaertn f., Acacia<br />
auriculiformis A Cunn. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.<br />
Introduction<br />
Global climate change is one <strong>of</strong> the burning issues <strong>of</strong> present time where carbon is acting the key role.<br />
The trapping and build-up <strong>of</strong> heat in the lower atmosphere near the planet’s surface. Some <strong>of</strong> the heat<br />
flowing back towards space from the Earth’s surface is absorbed by water vapour, carbon dioxide<br />
(CO2), methane (CH4), and other gases in the atmosphere. If the atmospheric concentrations <strong>of</strong> these<br />
gases rise, then theory predicts that the average temperature <strong>of</strong> the lower atmosphere will gradually<br />
increase. The greenhouse effect in part explains the temperature differences <strong>of</strong> Mars, Venus and Earth.<br />
(Gifford, 2000). Moreover there is growing local and international concern over the increase <strong>of</strong> carbon<br />
in the form <strong>of</strong> carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere over the last few decades. Forests play an<br />
important role in the carbon cycle, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it as<br />
carbon in plant material and soil. So creating forests can provide a relatively cost-effective way <strong>of</strong><br />
carbon sink. Organic carbon sequestration potential varies from species to species. Generally fast<br />
growing exotic species can sequester more carbon than that <strong>of</strong> indigenous species. So to fulfil organic<br />
carbon sequestration objective it is also important to choose suitable species. The most accurate<br />
method for calculating the amount <strong>of</strong> carbon stored in a tree is to fell the tree, measure its total biomass<br />
and analyse all parts <strong>of</strong> the tree for carbon content. However, this is not a practical method for<br />
calculating carbon stored in whole forests. Allometric relationships, which relate an easy-to-measure<br />
tree variable such as stem diameter to carbon stored in the tree, total height to carbon stored in the tree<br />
and diameter at breast height and total height together to carbon stored in the tree, are some principal<br />
method for estimating carbon stocks <strong>of</strong> forest and woodland ecosystems. In this study, some<br />
relationships have been developed to calculate sequestered organic carbon for three species viz.<br />
Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Acacia auriculiformis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis in respect <strong>of</strong> total<br />
height, diameter at breast height and combination <strong>of</strong> these two.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The study was conducted on three prominent species viz. (Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Acacia<br />
auriculiformis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis) growing vigorously in the Chittagong University<br />
campus. Random sampling was carried out for data and sample collection. Five sample plots <strong>of</strong> 10m x<br />
10m size were taken for each species. Total height and diameter at breast height (DBH) <strong>of</strong> each<br />
individual within the sample plots were measured with the help <strong>of</strong> Spigel Relaskop and measuring tape<br />
respectively. One representative individual from each sample plot was harvested and all components<br />
viz root, main bole, primary branch, secondary branch and leaves & twigs were separated. Weight <strong>of</strong><br />
each component was taken with the help <strong>of</strong> a field balance. Samples from all components were<br />
collected for analysis. Samples from the harvested individuals were taken into an envelope and kept<br />
those at 60ºC temperature in the oven until two adjacent weights attain to a constant value. Thus<br />
moisture percentages were determined. The oven-dried samples were then grinded. Porcelain crucibles<br />
were washed with 6N HCL and distilled water and dried in an oven at 65ºc for 1 hour. Less than 1g<br />
amounts <strong>of</strong> samples were taken into pre-weight crucibles. The crucibles were taken inside the cool<br />
furnace. After adjustment <strong>of</strong> the furnace at 550ºc, heating was increased slowly and after reaching at<br />
550ºc, ignition was continued for 1 hour. The crucibles were cooled slowly keeping them inside the<br />
furnace. After cooling, the crucibles with ash were weighted and percentage <strong>of</strong> ash was calculated.<br />
Then organic carbon percentage was determined. Relationship was tested considering total organic<br />
carbon content (kg) and diameter at breast height (cm), total organic carbon content (kg) and total<br />
height (m) and total organic carbon content (kg) and diameter at breast height (cm) along with height<br />
(m) by using SPSS. The best fit model was accepted to estimate organic carbon <strong>of</strong> the respective