Evaluating Ecological Values and Carbon Stock in Trees Outside Forests (TOFs) in Terai Region of Nepal

Volume 5 - Issue 4

Yogendra Yadav^1,2*, BirBahadurKhanal Chhetri³, Santosh Raymajhi³, Krishna RajTiwari³, Bishal K Sitaula⁴ and Bikram Singh⁵

Received: July 21, 2020;   Published: August 04, 2020

DOI: 10.32474/OAJESS.2020.05.000216

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Abstract

The ecological and environmental functions performed by Trees Outside Forests are less concern in scientific community. Thus, this research was objectively conducted to assess importance value index (IVI), tree species diversity and carbon stock density. Dhangadimai Municipality of Siraha District, Nepal was selected as study site. The map of TOF was prepared and further categorized it into Group and Scattered plantation. Altogether 60 samples, specifically each 30 from Group and Scattered plantation, were collected using stratified random sampling measuring the diameter and height of the plants. Moreover, 240 soil samples were collected from 0-10, 10-30, 30-60 and 60-100 cm depths. The importance value index was estimated summing the value of relating basal area, density, and dominancy as well as Shannon wieners index, Simpson’s diversity and Sorensen’s Similarity Index were calculated. The biomass was calculated using equation of Chave et al., and it was converted into carbon. Walkley and Black Method was used to soil carbon. Total 22 and 33 tree species were found in Group and Scattered plantations, respectively. Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo and Artocarpus lakoocha were prime tree species found in plantation site. The estimated IVI of Mangifera indica was the highest with 102.32 while this was the lowest 7.98 of Syzium cumunii in Group plantation but this value was the highest 64.46 of Dalbergia sissoo in scattered plantation. The Simpson and Shannon Wiener indices were 0.70 and 0.90 respectively in group plantation which were 0.84 and 2.45 correspondingly in scattered plantation. The biomass and carbon were approximately 447.14 ton/ha and 210.15ton/ha respectively in Group plantation. Calculated soil carbon was higher 51.49 ton/ha in scatter plantation. The highest soil carbon was about 16.63±2.14 ton/ha in 0-10 cm depth in scatter plantation and it was decreasing according to soil depth in scattered plantation. The study will be useful for policy formulation regarding biodiversity in TOF.

Keywords:Biomass, Carbon stock, Index of Value Index, Trees Outside Forests, Tree species diversity

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Results| Discussions| Conclusion| References|