Diversity and Carbon Storage in Calligonum polygonoides Associated Shrub Ecosystem of Indian Desert
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2022/v148i7/157244Keywords:
Arid region, Calligonum polygonoides, carbon stock, soil, vegetation diversity.Abstract
Calligonum polygonoides L., a shrub of Indian Desert, helps combat desertification. A 400 quadrates of 0.1 ha size were assessed in 12 arid districts of Rajasthan to monitor associations, diversity and status of C. polygonoides and its role in biomass production and carbon sequestration. With 9.23% frequency C. polygonoides was recorded in Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Sriganganagar districts with average height and collar-diameter of 1.83±0.71 m and 6.61±2.01 cm respectively. Recorded 6 trees and 12 shrubs species were dominated by Acacia tortilis (IVI=153.6) and C. polygonoides (IVI=120.0), respectively. Higher growth and carbon storage with reduced rainfall indicates strong adaptability of C. polygonoides, but climate severity adversely affected plant diversity. Shrub diversity, soil pH, EC, bulk density (BD) and organic and inorganic carbon storage varied (p<0.05) spatially. Vertical distribution of gravel and BD was significant. Contribution of C. polygonoides to total biomass carbon ranged between 24.83% in Jodhpur and 93.25% in Barmer district. Land use and climatic and edaphic factors had resulted in heterogeneity in shrub diversity influencing carbon stock in both vegetation and soils. Results obtained demonstrated the role of Calligonum in shrubby vegetation cover by which carbon storage could be promoted and land and environmental degradation can be minimized.
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