Assessment of carbon sequestration rate in eucalyptus-based irrigated forest plantation Bahawalpur

Globally, climate changes have attained significant attention in the current times as more carbon has been emitted into the environment due to man-made activities, resulting in damaged ecosystems. Irrigated forest plantations constitute a significant portion of Pakistan's forest cover, contributing to carbon sequestration. The aimed of current research is to determine the tree species distribution, total carbon reserves and percentage of CO2 sequestration in the upper and understory trees of Zakheera Irrigated Forest Plantation Bahawalpur, a premier compact irrigated plantation in Pakistan. The total carbon reserve ha-1 for the available tree species was calculated using the sampling plots method. The current carbon available in tree species was found by using allometric equations in MS Excel. The study area, having an area of 1504 (609 ha) acres, contained the sampling plots, Eucalyptus camaldulensis was found dominant species (60%) followed by Dalbergia sissoo (15%), Vachellia nilotica (10%) and other mixed contributed a small portion in the study area species (15%). Similarly, shrubby vegetations were also found in the study area in a small proportion. The study's findings showed that the carbon stores in the tree biomass directly corresponded to tree species and the age of trees. Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, the maximum stems biomass of 160.08 Mgha-1 has noted in E. camaldulensis. The average tress stem bio-mass of Eucalyptus camaldulensis was observed as 168.23 having a range of 102.89 ± 160.19 Mgha-1. Similarly, the lowest tree stem bio-mass of 20.70 Mgha-1 was noted in Vachellia nilotica, whereas it contained an average tree stem biomass of 20.70 having a range of 20.70 ± 30.50 Mgha-1. Average stem bio-mass of Dalbergia sissoo was noted 90.70 with a range of 130.90 ± 35.85 Mgha-1. The average stem bio-mass of a mix kind of species was noted at 85.25 with a range of 130.20 ± 35.80 Mgha-1. The average stem bio-mass of the complete plantation was 90.75 having a range of 160.80 ± 30.50 Mgha-1, while the average tree biomass was 140.50 with a range of 245.30 ± 40.70 Mgha-1. The average carbon stock/reserve in the upper story was 60.19 Mgha-1 with a range of 115.59 ± 20.90 Mgha-1. The carbon sequestering reserves in Province Punjab may be greatly increased by conducting scientific studies and proper forest management operations on the existing 31,223 ha of vacant land.