Biomass Accumulation and Carbon Pool Distribution in Clonal Eucalyptus Plantations of Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Clonal eucalyptus plantations are widely recognised for rapid growth, high biomass productivity and carbon sequestration potential. This study quantified biomass accumulation, carbon stock and carbon pool distribution in clonal eucalyptus plantations of Shahdol district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Twenty-three plantations representing block and bund systems, different spacings and age gradations were selected through purposive sampling at 10% sampling intensity. Biomass was estimated by destructive harvesting, and sampled trees were separated into bole, bark, branches and leaves. Carbon stock and carbon dioxide sequestration potential were estimated using the ash method and standard conversion factors, while soil organic carbon stock was calculated from soil organic carbon concentration, bulk density and sampling depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm. The mean bole, bark, branch and leaf biomass were 122.52, 21.03, 14.85 and 10.60 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. Mean above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass and total biomass were 169.04, 43.95 and 212.99 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. Mean carbon stock and carbon dioxide sequestration potential were 19.54 and 71.71 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively, while mean soil carbon stock was 25.79 t ha⁻¹. Total ecosystem carbon stock averaged 238.78 t ha⁻¹. Welch’s t-test showed significantly higher biomass production and carbon storage in block plantations than in bund plantations (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that plantation age and tree density were the major determinants of biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration, explaining 61–65% of the observed variation. The findings indicate that clonal eucalyptus plantations, particularly block plantations, can contribute to biomass production and ecosystem carbon storage under the studied conditions.