Carbon Sequestration Potential of Trees in Kuvempu University …
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sequestration, contributes to reduce atmospheric carbon of the globe (Marak and
Khare 2017). And this can be quantified to assess the magnitude and role of urban
forests in relation to climate change (Arya et al. 2018). Although the extent and
impact of increasing atmospheric CO 2 on climate change are unknown and relatively
controversial, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reached an
agreement in December, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. is requested to reduce net emissions of CO 2 ,
NH 4 , and N 2 O by 7% below 1990 levels by 2008–2012. Sequestration of carbon
could be counted as well as reductions in emissions (Williams et al. 2000).
The C-stock in the wooded land of Nepal (44.74% of the total area of the country)
has recorded the peak. It is only due to the introduction of community forestry which
started in the late 1970s, and has reversed the deforestation and forest degradation
rates 9:10. Such forests act as a major source of C-sink storing about 20% of the total
C-stock (Bhatta et al. 2018). According to the India State of Forest Report, 2017 total
carbon stock in forests of India in 2017 is 7082 million tons. It has also reported that
the annual increase in carbon stock is 19 million tons (Mishra and Prasad 2018).
Tropical forests play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle and sequestering carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. They are major sinks for atmospheric
carbon, accounting for 50% of the above ground carbon in the vegetation (Hunter
et al. 2013). The increased emissions of greenhouse gases have negatively impact on
the climate, through various ecological imbalances. Comparatively, Carbon dioxide
is most potent green house gas. Perhaps, the only possible way to reduce the level
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to maintain rich plant diversity in forest area,
agricultural fields, urban areas and vacant lands.
In recent years the role of urban trees and parks in reducing levels of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been identified as an
additional benefit. Urban trees can reduce the levels of atmospheric CO 2 through
sequestration and reducing CO 2 emissions by conserving energy used for heating
and cooling (Devi 2017).
But to know the actual reason behind it we need some permanent plots not only
to measure diversity of species like (mortality, natality and regeneration success) the
carbon carrying capacity varies depending on the forest structure and type. The earlier
studies like the floristic diversity of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary (Krishnamurthy et al.
2009, 2010) as well as phenological studies (Nanda et al. 2010, 2014) and Kuvempu
University campus floristic diversity are documented (Narayana et al. 2017).
The present study addressed carbon stock among both forest trees and introduced
species of the Kuvempu university campus. This may be attributed to the either temporary or permanent changes in structure, density (canopy closure, canopy quality,
tree density, biomass density and fragmentation), and species composition.
305
sequestration, contributes to reduce atmospheric carbon of the globe (Marak and
Khare 2017). And this can be quantified to assess the magnitude and role of urban
forests in relation to climate change (Arya et al. 2018). Although the extent and
impact of increasing atmospheric CO 2 on climate change are unknown and relatively
controversial, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reached an
agreement in December, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. is requested to reduce net emissions of CO 2 ,
NH 4 , and N 2 O by 7% below 1990 levels by 2008–2012. Sequestration of carbon
could be counted as well as reductions in emissions (Williams et al. 2000).
The C-stock in the wooded land of Nepal (44.74% of the total area of the country)
has recorded the peak. It is only due to the introduction of community forestry which
started in the late 1970s, and has reversed the deforestation and forest degradation
rates 9:10. Such forests act as a major source of C-sink storing about 20% of the total
C-stock (Bhatta et al. 2018). According to the India State of Forest Report, 2017 total
carbon stock in forests of India in 2017 is 7082 million tons. It has also reported that
the annual increase in carbon stock is 19 million tons (Mishra and Prasad 2018).
Tropical forests play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle and sequestering carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. They are major sinks for atmospheric
carbon, accounting for 50% of the above ground carbon in the vegetation (Hunter
et al. 2013). The increased emissions of greenhouse gases have negatively impact on
the climate, through various ecological imbalances. Comparatively, Carbon dioxide
is most potent green house gas. Perhaps, the only possible way to reduce the level
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is to maintain rich plant diversity in forest area,
agricultural fields, urban areas and vacant lands.
In recent years the role of urban trees and parks in reducing levels of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been identified as an
additional benefit. Urban trees can reduce the levels of atmospheric CO 2 through
sequestration and reducing CO 2 emissions by conserving energy used for heating
and cooling (Devi 2017).
But to know the actual reason behind it we need some permanent plots not only
to measure diversity of species like (mortality, natality and regeneration success) the
carbon carrying capacity varies depending on the forest structure and type. The earlier
studies like the floristic diversity of Bhadra wildlife sanctuary (Krishnamurthy et al.
2009, 2010) as well as phenological studies (Nanda et al. 2010, 2014) and Kuvempu
University campus floristic diversity are documented (Narayana et al. 2017).
The present study addressed carbon stock among both forest trees and introduced
species of the Kuvempu university campus. This may be attributed to the either temporary or permanent changes in structure, density (canopy closure, canopy quality,
tree density, biomass density and fragmentation), and species composition.