Green House Gases Mitigation Potential by Sal (<I>Shorea robusta</I> Gaertn. F.) forest in do on Valley

Abstract

In the recent past most of the land in Doon Valley , which was under the forest cover , agriculture and orchard has been reduced remarkably and converted into a jungle of concrete. The manifold increase in the number of automobiles and industrial activities has caused rise in the concentration of Green House Gases (GHGs) resulting in an increase in atmospheric temperature. The present paper describes the estimated biomass and productivity of 11 representative sites for accounting carbon storage by Sal (Shorea robusta) , which contributes 18.5-98.1 % of the total crop. The standing biomass was calculated using prediction equations for each diameter classes in each site and expressed on hectare basis. Age of each crop was calculated with the help of age and diameter correlation for each quality class for determining productivity. The increase in temperature followed by the increased rainfall has ultimately provided the favourable condition for fast decomposition and mineralisation resulting in high productivity and subsequently high carbon sequestration.