European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals

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