carbon sequestration potential of teak plantations of kerala

243 Pages·2016·10.43 MB·English

CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL OF
TEAK PLANTATIONS OF KERALA

Thesis submitted to
Cochin University of Science and Technology
in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
under the
Faculty of Environmental Studies

by
Sreejesh, K.K
Reg. No. 3983

Kerala Forest Research Institute
Peechi-680653, Kerala, India

Cochin University of Science and Technology
Kochi - 682016, Kerala, India

January 2016
Carbon Sequestration Potential of Teak
Plantations of Kerala

Ph.D. Thesis under the Faculty of Environmental Studies

Author
Sreejeesh K K
Research Scholar (Reg. No. 3983)
Soil Science Department
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala

Supervising guide
Dr. Thomas P Thomas
Scientist F & HoD (Rtd.)
Soil Science Department
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Peechi, Thrissur

© Sreejesh KK, 2016

School of Environmental Studies
Cochin University of Science & Technology
Kochi-682016

January, 2016
CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the research work presented in the thesis entitled
“Carbon Sequestration Potential of Teak Plantations of Kerala” is based on
the authentic record of original work done by Mr. Sreejesh, K.K (Reg. No. 3983)
under my supervision and guidance at Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi, Thrissur in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy and that no part of this work has previously formed the
basis for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or any
other similar title or recognition. All the relevant corrections and modifications
suggested by the audience during the pre-synopsis seminar and
recommendation by the Doctoral Committee of the candidate has been
incorporated in the thesis.

Dr. Thomas P Thomas
(Supervising Guide)
Scientist F (Rtd.)
Peechi Kerala Forest Research Institute
5-01-2016 Peechi – 680 653

DECLARATION

The research work presented in the thesis entitled “Carbon Sequestration
Potential of Teak Plantations of Kerala” submitted in partial fulfillment of
the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Cochin University of
Science and Technology, is a bonafide record of the research work done by me
under the supervision of Dr. Thomas P Thomas, Scientist F & HoD (Rtd.), Soil
Science Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur. No
part of this work has previously formed the basis for the award of any degree,
diploma, associateship, fellowship or any other similar title or recognition.

Peechi Sreejesh K K
5-01-2016 (Reg. No. 3983)

Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I am extremely grateful to my supervising guide, Dr. Thomas P
Thomas, Scientist F & HoD (Rtd.), Soil Science Department, KFRI, Peechi,
Thrissur, who encouraged and supported me to pursue research leading to PhD,
which is a dream come true.
I am grateful to Dr. M.P Sujatha, Scientist E & HoD, Soil Science Department,
2
KFRI, for encouragement and facilities.
I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. S. Sandeep, Scientist B, Soil Science
Department, KFRI, Peechi, Thrissur, for his whole hearted support during my
research period.
Former Directors of KFRI Dr. K.V. Sankaran and Dr. P.S. Easa and the present
Director Dr. P.G. Latha were helpful and encouraging during the course of work
and I am indebted to them.
Dr. E.A. Jayson and Dr. T.K. Dhamodaran, Nodal officers of PhD programme in
KFRI are remembered with gratitude for timely suggestions and advice.
Dr. P. Rugmini, Mr. K.H. Hussain and Dr. M. Amruth of KFRI were always
supportive. They are also remembered with gratitude.
I express my deep sense of gratitude to Mr. K.M. Prasanth, Research Scholar who
was a constant source of inspiration and unstinted support in times of need.
I am grateful to Mrs. P.K. Kripa, Research Scholar for all the encouragement and
moral support in times of distress.
I can never forget the help and support received from Mr. K.T. Vijith especially in
statistical interpretation of data.
My colleagues in the Soil Science Department Mrs. C. Lathika, Mrs. C. Kavitha,
Mrs. E.B. Remya, Mrs. M. Seema Joseph, Mr. V.K. Sutheesh and Mr. M.S. Sudheen
were all helpful during different stages of my research work. They are remembered
with gratitude.
I extend my gratitude to all friends in KFRI and Research Scholars Hostel who
were ready to share the burden of my work with pleasure.
The financial support received from Kerala Forest Department has helped me very
much. The field staff of KFD were always helpful and supportive during field
investigations. I am thankful to them.
The love and support received from my parents and brother during the course of
work deserves special mention and I am beholden to them.
My wife Swathy shared all my difficulties and supported me whole heartedly
enduring the sufferings of bringing up my kid Rishav single handedly during my
long absence on an off for various reasons. I am deeply indebted to her.
I am thankful to many more faces who have supported me during the course of my
study.
Above all, I bow my head before Almighty for all the blessings.
Sreejesh KK
Abstract
Carbon storage potential of teak plantation was estimated by studying plantations in
Nilambur undergoing prescribed thinning schedules. Nilambur in Kerala State has
the reputation of establishing the first teak plantation in India. The area has a
humid tropical climate with around 300 cm annual rainfall received from the two
monsoons. The soil is well drained coarse textured oxisol with high content of
sesquioxides. An average teak tree at Nilambur was found to attain a height of 6.93
m and dbh of 6.3 cm at 5 year which was seen to increase to 22.83 m and 45.85 cm,
respectively at the final felling stage of 50 years. Biomass was found to increase from
65.38 kg tree-1 at the first stage to 1085.70 kg tree-1 at the final stage of felling.
Significant increase in growth and biomass production was noted after 30th year of
plantation.
Carbon sequestration in various compartments of teak followed the pattern bole >
branch > root > bark in the initial stages and bole > root > branch > bark in the
latter stages. Carbon sequestration increased with age and at 50 years 332.88 kg tree-
1 carbon was found to be stored in bole, 60.63 in branch, 80.06 in root and 26.57 kg
tree-1 in bark compartment giving a total of 508.14 kg tree-1 of carbon.
Allometric models to predict carbon sequestration with height and dbh as
independent variable and carbon sequestered as dependent variable were tested to
obtain the best fit model. The best regression model for predicting carbon sequestered
in the bole compartment was √Y = 1.502 + 0.344 D, that for bark √Y = 1.163 + 0.082
D, for branch ln Y =1.308 lnD-1.116, for root √Y = 0.858 + 0.170 D, for above ground
compartment √Y = 2.113 + 0.379 D and that for predicting the total carbon
sequestered in the teak in all its vegetative parts was √Y = 2.289 + 0.415 D.
Carbon sequestration potential of teak plantations in Kerala was calculated based on
the estimated carbon sequestration at prescribed felling stages and the area
prescribed for felling in 2014. The calculated figure was 0.21 million tons of carbon
which was equivalent to Certified Emission Reduction (CER) potential of 0.81
million units corresponding to 61.48 crores of rupees at current exchange rates.