Carbon Stock of Human-Disturbed Forest Areas in Bukidnon, Philippines

Abstract

A carbon stock assessment was done on two forest areas in Bukidnon, Philippines specifically in Mt. Kiamo in Kibalabag Village and Mt. Capistrano in Managok Village both in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Using a nested sampling design, tree diameter at breast height as well as tree height were measured. Allometric equations were then used to calculate for the above and below ground biomass density of trees. Destructive sampling was then employed to determine the biomass density of understory and litterfall, while composite sampling was done for soil analysis. Carbon content was then used to compute for the carbon stock of the different carbon pools in the studied ecosystems. The average biomass density of the two areas was found to be 247.80 Mg ha-1 which are closely similar to other areas of the same forest type in Mindanao. Likewise the average carbon stock of the two areas is 143.14 MgC ha-1 which is similar to tree plantations based on previous studies. Furthermore, the said carbon stock is approximately 40% lower than the country average for natural forests (250 MgC ha-1). The results demonstrate the extent of the diminishing carbon sequestration capability of forest areas due to human disturbance.