Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Chandan CS, Jagadish MR, Ganesha BH, Shivakumar BH, Basavaraj MP, Hanumantha M and Inamati SS

Abstract:
Carbon sequestration is the permanent or longer time storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide in a terrestrial system. Forests are considered to be a potential sink in the terrestrial system for carbon sequestration. The continuous stretch of forests has become fragmented due to severe biotic pressure. Those fragmented forests are traditionally conserved in the name of sylvan deity and are called as Kaan forests. These are virgin patches of the natural forest communities. Therefore, estimation of above ground biomass and carbon pool of these remnants of sacred Kaans could be of great help to understand the natural rate of carbon sequestration potential. In the present study, estimation of the biomass and carbon stock by non-destructive method through measurements of DBH and tree height in each of the belt transects in the Kaan forests of Sirsi taluk. The maximum biomass and carbon stock was found in less disturbed Kaans. Among the different disturbance level, significantly higher AGB was obtained in less disturbed level (688.34 Mg ha^-1) and was least in high disturbed level (247.40 Mg ha^-1). The similar trend was noticed in below ground biomass with 178.98 Mg ha^-1 and 64.32 Mg ha^-1 in less and high disturbance level respectively. The total biomass was found to be significantly higher in less disturbed Kaans (867.32 Mg ha^-1) compared to highly disturbed Kaans (311.72 Mg ha^-1). Higher carbon stock and carbon equivalent was recorded in less disturbed Kaan (407.64 Mg ha^-1 and 1496.04 Mg ha^-1) compared to highly disturbed Kaan (146.50 Mg ha^-1 and 537.68 Mg ha^-1) respectively. It is evident from the results that the less disturbed large Kaans showed higher values of biomass and carbon stock compared to Medium and Small Kaans. Sacred Kaans not only harbour`s biodiversity but also mitigates carbon and plays a major role in carbon cycling.