Vegetation structure and Carbon Storage Based on Above Ground Biomass Evaluation in Conservation Areas of Kamphaeng Phet Plantation

Abstract

Recently, the situation of Thailand's forest areas are under deteriorating. As a result, plant and animal diversity has reduced. The Siam Forestry Co., Ltd. has reserved roughly 10% of the Company's economic forest area to establish a conservation area. Then, at conservation areas of Kamphaeng Phet Plantation, the biodiversity and long-term ecological research were proposed. The purposive random sampling of temporary and permanent plots of 20 m x 50 m were established with 3 plots for each to observe the forest structure and the amount of carbon storage from above-ground biomass. The results showed the tree species diversity of 77 species, 61 genera and 32 families was found. The basal areas and stem density of tree DBH >= 2 cm were 21.65 m2. ha-1 and 2,203 stem. ha-1, respectively, while high diversity base on Shannon-Winer index was found (H'=3.66) Dominance species was found Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Cratoxylum formosum, Canarium subulatum, Xylia xylocarpa, Buchanania lanzan etc. The conservation areas forest area covered about 923.54 rai, (147.77 ha-1) and had the biomass of 16,390.39 ton/conservation areas (110.92 ton/ ha-1). The evaluated value for carbon storage were 7,703.48 ton carbon/conservation areas (52.13 ton/ ha-1). However, the long-term monitoring to detect the changes of living organisms should be done. Then, the ecological knowledge can be applied for forest restoration program, including, to maintain the biodiversity for sustainable use in the future.

Keywords: Long-term ecological research, Plant diversity, Regeneration, Secondary deciduous dipterocarp forest