Published on June 2022 | Biodiversity, Forestry

Tree diversity and carbon stock in North Poblacion and South Poblacion (Dipaculao, Aurora, Philippines)

Trees are very important components of an ecosystem which act as key elements of biodiversity which also provides countless benefits and protection from adverse events such as climate change. This study focused on the assessment of diversity and carbon storage potentials of tree species in Barangay North Poblacion and Barangay South Poblacion in Dipaculao, Auorora. The study covered a 100% inventory of the trees with diameter at breast height of at least 5 cm. The area was found to have a high overall diversity (H' = 3.278; 1-D = 0.963) with 68 morpho-species of trees, 1290 individuals and 23 families. The most abundant species were Swietenia macrophylla King, Mangifera indica L., and Gmelina arborea Roxb. Ex Sm. collectively with 465 individuals. Ecological status assessment revealed 32 indigenous, four threatened (IUCN [18]), six threatened (DAO 2017-11 [19]), and three invasive species. Notable among the species were the three Philippine endemics-Artocarpus blancoi (Elmer) Merr., Ficus pseudopalma Blanco, and Drypetes falcata (Merr.) Pax & K. Hoffm. The overall tree biomass estimates were 2367.60 tons using Brown formula while 2328.90 tons using the equation of Chave. For carbon storage potential, the overall estimated values of two barangays were 1183.8 tons (16.28 t/ha) using Brown and 1164.45 tons (16.01 t/ha) using Chave. Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. had the highest carbon storage potential of 407.4 tons using Brown and 342.2 tons using Chave. The results of the study can serve as a guide to the local government in the planning the conservation and protection measures for the tree species in the area.