International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 3(6), 56-61, June (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 56 Estimation of Biomass and Carbon Sequestration of Trees in Informally Protected Areas of Rajouri, J&K, IndiaBandana Gupta and Sanjay Sharma Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Jammu, Jammu-180006, J&K, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 18th May 2014, revised 30th May 2014, accepted 20th June 2014 AbstractConservation of natural resources through traditional beliefs and practices is an ancient practice and forms an important link between biological diversity and cultural diversity. The study examines the role of informally protected areas in maintaining diversity and carbon sequestration of tree species in 40 different sites of Rajouri Tehsil. Firstly, an inventory of trees species was prepared in the study area through field survey. To assess carbon sequestration and total biomass in the tree species, the mean above and belowground organic carbon (tones/tree) and total organic carbon of each species were calculated. A total of 53 tree species comprising of 629 individuals have been recorded in the study area. Olea ferruginea species was dominant with 161 trees and sequestered 34.52 tons of carbon in its standing biomass, followed by Pinus roxburghii (20.7 tons). Zanthoxyllum armatum had the lowest carbon sequestration potential (0.1 tons). Keywords: Biomass, carbon sequestration, diversity, conservation. IntroductionNature worship is an ancient Indian tradition and conservation of natural resources was considered necessary for survival and sustenance of mankind. The practice of dedicating forest patches to deities in sacred groves is an ancient custom and likewise trees are protected for their religious, traditional and economic uses in various informally protected areas such as temples, shrines, sacred groves, graveyards etc. Trees are also known to be a major sink of CO and cost-effective option for mitigation of global warming and climatic change, contributing to reduce atmospheric carbon which is accumulating in the atmosphere at an increasing rate. The tehsil Rajouri is one of the 8 tehsils in the district Rajouri of J&K state. Rajouri is known to be a land of ethnic diversity where people belonging to different communities and religions live together including a number of tribal communities such as Gujjars, Bakerwals, etc. A huge number of sacred places are also found in Rajouri, in which forest patches, varying in sizes and also other planted tree species are protected on religious as well as traditional grounds. The objective of the study was to assess the diversity of trees species and to estimate the sequestrated carbon of different tree species in different sacred places in Rajouri, contributing in reducing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Material and Methods For the present study, a total of 40 sacred sites were studied located in different villages as well as wards of Rajouri tehsil. The details of these sites are given in table-1. Field studies in the different sites were conducted to prepare an inventory of tree species and the plant material were collected and identified by referring standard local flora. Most of the information was collected from the elderly people, village heads of the respective areas. For the quantitative analysis of vegetation, random sampling method was used for sampling the above ground vegetation. For the collection of data plots of 10ื10m size were laid randomly in the various sites taken under study. Plot method is one of the most commonly used sampling methods for all kind of vegetation sampling. Plot method is also among the methodologies approved by the Clean Development Mechanism for afforestation and reforestation projects under the Kyoto Protocol. The number of quadrats laid in each site depended on the total area covered by that site, larger the area of the site; more is the number of quadrats laid in that site. From each plot data was collected for measuring following parameters: Analysis of data for measuring carbon sequestration: To assess carbon sequestration potential of the tree species in the study area, following parameters were measured: Tree Height and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): To estimate biomass of different trees, non-destructive method was used. The biomass of tree was estimated on the basis of DBH and tree height. DBH can be determined by measuring tree Girth at Breast Height (GBH), approximately 1.3 meter from the ground. The GBHs of trees were measured directly by measuring tape. Above ground biomass (AGB) of trees: The above ground biomass of tree includes the whole shoot, branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits. It is calculated using the following formula - International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(6), 56-61, June (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 57 AGB kg = volume of tree (m3) x wood density Kg/m3, V = r2H, V= volume of the cylindrical shaped tree in m3, r = radius of the tree in meter, H= Height of tree in meter. Radius of the tree is calculated from GBH of tree. The wood densities were obtained from the website - www.worldagroforestycentre.org/sea/products/AFDbases/WD/. Table -1 List of Informally Protected sites selected for vegetative study in Rajouri Name of Sacred Grove Name of the Deity Place Area (ha) Location Community No. of Tree species Baba Keshav Nath Sacred Grove Baba Keshav Nath Talwal 0.01 Rural Sasan 10 Baba Naar Singh Sacred Grove Baba Naar Singh Talwal 0.0075 Rural Sasan 5 Baba Qutubdin Naughazia Ziarat Baba Qutubdin Naughazia Dhanidhar 0.4 Rural All 14 Baba Sain Abdul Aziz Ziarat Baba Sain Abdul Aziz Nagrota 0.15 Rural All 11 Banda Bahadur Gurudwara Banda Bahadur Thandikassi 0.0088 Rural All 4 Boli Mata Temple Boli Mata Dhanidhar 0.02 Rural All 16 Cave Shrine Sacred Grove Lord Shiv, Lord Vishnu Mankot 0.013 Rural All 1 Chandershekhar Temple Lord Shiv Dhangri 0.015 Rural All 10 Chugga Biradri Memorial - Talwal 0.0063 Rural Chugga 4 Cremation Ground Rajouri - Rajouri City 0.011 Urban All 3 Dargah Hazrat Sultan Shah Baba Hazrat Sultan Shah Dalogra 0.0075 Rural All 3 Durga Temple, Dalogra Goddess Durga Dalogra 0.027 Rural All 3 Durga Temple, Bathuni Goddess Durga Bathuni 0.017 Rural All 9 Graveyard, Talwal - Talwal 0.1 Rural All 14 Jama Masjid Dhangri Peer Khiwe Shah Dhangri 0.015 Rural All 8 Jyoti Mata Temple Jyoti Mata Thandikassi 0.075 Rural All 8 Kali Mata Temple Kali Mata Saralkote 0.02 Rural All 11 Markazi Idgah, Bamakam Ziarat Baba Bamakam Dassal Gujran 0.04 Rural All 1 Panjpeer Ziarat Paanch Peer Rajouri 0.011 Urban All 7 Peer Baba Rajouri - Rajouri 0.0038 Urban All 2 Peer Baba Thandikassi - Thandikassi 0.019 Rural All 3 Peer Khiwe Shah Ziarat Peer Khiwe Shah Dhangri 0.12 Rural All 10 Pracheen Radha Krishna Temple Lord Krishna Rajouri 0.022 Urban All 9 Pracheen Shiv Temple Lord Shiv Rajouri city 0.019 Urban All 12 Ram Temple, Dhangri Lord Ram Dhangri 0.05 Rural All 10 Radha Krishna Temple Lord Krishna Thandikassi 0.0088 Rural All 3 Sain Challa Sahib Ziarat Sain Challa Sahib Pullulian 0.3 Rural All 12 Sain Gangi Sahib Ziarat Sain Gangi Sahib Fatehpur 0.12 Rural All 14 Sakhi Sultan Ziarat Sain Sakhi Sultan Rajouri city 0.003 Urban All 1 Santoshi Mata Temple Goddess Durga Palma 0.1 Rural All 7 Sarv Dharm Sthal All religions Bathuni 0.002 Rural All 4 Shiv Temple, Kheora Lord Shiv Kheora 0.0088 Rural All 5 Shiv Temple, Muradpur Lord Shiv Muradpur 0.025 Rural All 5 Shiv Temple, Talwal Lord Shiv Talwal 0.02 Rural All 14 Shri 108 Brahmarishi Dudhadhari Barfani ji Maharaj Ashram Lord Ram Chachhera Wildlife Reserve 0.5 Urban All 17 Sita Mata Temple Sita Mata Thandikassi 0.1 Rural All 11 Surta Mata Mandir, Kallar Surta Mata Kallar 0.02 Rural Rotra 3 Takkya Ziarat Sain Sabat Shah Badoon 0.02 Rural All 7 Wali Rafiq Sahib Ziarat Wali Rafiq Sahib Chapprian 0.06 Rural All 15 Ziarat Peer Makhan Shah Badshah Peer Makhan Shah Badshah Rajouri city 0.016 Urban All 3 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(6), 56-61, June (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 58 Below ground biomass (BGB) of trees: The belowground biomass (BGB) includes all biomass of live roots excluding fine roots having 2 mm diameter. The belowground biomass has been calculated by multiplying the above ground biomass (AGB) by 0.26 factors as the root: shoot ratio. Belowground biomass (BGB) kg/tree or ton/tree = aboveground biomass (AGB) kg/tree or ton/tree x 0.26 Qualitative Analysis: For the qualitative analysis of data, a survey based on questionnaire was also carried out to study the importance of these sites in phytodiversity conservation and to analyze their socio-economic importance. Results and Discussion The study was conducted in various sacred sites of Rajouri. The study was based on two types of analysis of the vegetation in the study area, the quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative Analysis: Phyto diversity Measurement: The results of quantitative analysis of data revealed a total of 629 individuals of 53 species belonging to 30 families and 43 genera had been recorded in all the sites under study (table-2). Rosaceae family was the most dominant with 7 tree species followed by families Moraceae and Rutaceae, each with 6 tree species.Among genera, Genus Ficus had maximum contribution represented by 5 species, which were Ficus benghalensis, F. carica, F. palmata, F. racemosa and F. religiosa. Carbon Sequestration Measurement: There are 53 species including 629 individuals have been recorded in sacred groves under study in Rajouri Tehsil of Rajouri district. Table-3 demonstrates total number of trees of each species present in the sacred groves. It also indicates the average GBH in cm and average tree height in meters. The mean above ground organic carbon (AGC) per tree (t/ tree); mean of below ground organic carbon (BGC) per tree (t/ tree); the total organic carbon of each species in tones and the total organic carbon sequestrated in 629 trees have been summarized. The organic carbon sequestrated in per species is shown for comparison purpose. Olea ferruginea species are dominant in sacred groves having 161 trees and sequestrated 34.52 tons of carbon in its standing biomass, followed by Pinus roxburghii (20.7 tons). Zanthoxyllum armatum has the lowest carbon sequestration potential (0.1 tons). Qualitative Analysis: For the qualitative analysis of data, a detailed questionnaire was prepared to know the role of these sacred places in the lives of local people. It was found that most of the trees growing in these groves were used by the people for different purposes like fuel, fodder, medicinal and as edibles. Although most of the trees were growing wild, but people had also planted a number of trees particularly religious, ornamental and fruit trees. Most of the people were of the view that sacred places were used by them mainly for religious purposes, which is the main reason for protection of trees growing here because of various taboos associated with the religious activities. Apart from religious use, sacred groves were also used for firewood collection, grazing of animals and for recreational purposes by some people. Most of the respondents believed that sacred sites were an important storehouse of local flora in the region because of the various restrictions on the use of these trees growing in these groves. But they also believe that these sacred groves are gradually shrinking in size and number due to habitation in remote areas, land requirements, improper agricultural practices, irregular rainfall and literacy brought to the tribal people which caused loss of tribal ethos. Conclusion These informally protected areas possess a great heritage of diverse gene pool of many forest species having socio-religious attachment and possessing various important use values for the local people. A scared grove having thick vegetation possesses high carbon sequestration potential, contributing in reducing concentration of CO in the atmosphere. As they are gradually shrinking due to human activities to fulfill various human needs, the legal status and management of sacred groves in the country need to be examined. There is an urgent need to preserve and acknowledge the efforts of the people of this area in preserving the other small sacred patches of forests as local biodiversity. 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S., Kumar M. and Sundarapandian S.M., The Spiritual, Socio-Cultural and Ecological Status of Sacred Groves in Tamil Nadu, India, Unasylva, 213 54: 53-58 (2003)Table-2 List of tree Species recorded in the study area S.No. Name of the Species Common Name Family 1 Acacia catechu (L.f) Willd. Khair Mimosaceae 2 Acacia nilotica Linn. Kikkar Mimosaceae 3 Aegle marmelos L.Bel Patra Rutaceae 4 Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. Arru Simaroubaceae 5 Bauhinia variegata Linn.Kalyadi Caesalpiniaceae 6 Bombax cieba Linn.Simbal Bombaceae 7 Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) SweetBottle brush Myrtaceae 8 Carica papaya L.Papita Caricaceae 9 Celtis australis L.khirk Ulmaceae 10 Cestrum nocturnum L.Raat ki Rani Solanaceae 11 Citrus aurantium L.Girgle Rutaceae 12 Citrus limon L.Nimbu Rutaceae 13 Citrus sinensis L.Santara Rutaceae 14 Cordia dichotoma G.Forst.Lasuda Boraginaceae 15 Cupressus sempervirens L.Saroo Cupressaceae 16 Dalbergia sissoo RoxbTaali Paplionaceae 17 Diospyros Montana Roxb. Timru Ebenaceae 18 Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) LindlLokat Rosaceae 19 Eucalyptus citridora Linn.Safeda Myrtaceae 20 Ficus benghalensis L.Bori/Bad Moraceae 21 Ficus carica L.Anjeer Moraceae 22 Ficus palmata Forssk.Fig Moraceae 23 Ficus racemosa L.Tussa Moraceae 24 Ficus religiosa Linn.Peepal Moraceae 25 Flacourtia indica (Burm, f.) Merr.- Salicaceae 26 Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. Ex R. Br.Silver oak Proteaceae 27 Grewia optiva Drumm. exBurret.Taman Tiliaceae 28 Juglans regia Linn.Akhrot Juglandaceae 29 Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de WitSreen Mimosaceae 30 Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. ArgKameela Euphorbiaceae 31 Malus domestica BorkhSeb Rosaceae 32 Mangifera indica L.Aam Anacardiaceae 33 Melia azaderach L.Darenk Meliaceae 34 Morus alba Linn.Toot Moraceae 35 Murraya Koenigii Spring Karri patta Rutaceae 36 Olea ferruginea RoyleKau Oleaceae 37 Phyllanthus emblica L.Amla Euphorbiaceae 38 Pinus roxburghii Sarg.Chir Pinaceae 39 Platanus orientalis L.Chinar Platanaceae 40 Populus ciliata Wall. Ex RoyleSafeda Salicaceae 41 Prunus armeniaca L.Charota Rosaceae 42 Prunus domestica L. Plump Rosaceae 43 Prunus persica Linn. Aru Rosaceae International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(6), 56-61, June (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 60 44 Psidium guajava L.Amrud Myrtaceae 45 Punicum granatum L.Anardana Lythraceae 46 Pyrus communis Linn.Nashpati Rosaceae 47 Pyrus pashia Buch.Ham.ex.D.DonBotungi/ kathari Rosaceae 48 Quercus leucotrichophora L.Banj oak Fagaceae 49 Salix alba L.Binsa Salicaceae 50 Toona ciliata M Roemer.Toon Meliaceae 51 Ulmus wallichiana PlanchManu Ulmaceae 52 Zanthoxyllum armatum L.Timber Rutaceae 53 Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.Ber Rhamnacea Table-3 Carbon sequestration potential of trees species in the study area S. No. Scientific Names Number of individuals Average GBH (cm) Average Height (meter) Average organic carbon (t/individual) Organic carbon (t/species) Above ground Below ground Total 1 Acacia catechu (L.f) Willd. 4 45 7 0.09 0.02 0.11 0.44 2 Acacia nilotica Linn. 2 78 10 0.4 0.1 0.5 1 3 Aegle marmelos L.5 31 5.5 0.03 0.007 0.03 0.19 4 Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. 4 68 12 0.24 0.06 0.3 1.2 5 Bauhinia variegate Linn.3 54 3.3 0.046 0.01 0.05 0.17 6 Bombax cieba Linn.6 157.6 12.26 0.79 0.2 0.99 5.9 7 Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet7 62 8 0.17 0.04 0.21 1.5 8 Carica papaya L.3 53 6.5 0.03 0.008 0.038 0.11 9 Celtis australis L.37 76.38 7.6 0.27 0.071 0.34 12.5 10 Cestrum nocturnum L.1 38 4 0.027 0.007 0.034 0.034 11 Citrus aurantium L.2 27 3.6 0.011 0.003 0.014 0.028 12 Citrus limon L.5 35 2.25 0.013 0.0034 0.0164 0.08 13 Citrus sinensis L.3 47 3 0.031 0.008 0.039 0.117 14 Cordia dichotoma G.Forst.2 183.5 17 2.412 0.627 3.039 6.0 15 Cupressus sempervirens L.7 38 2.6 0.013 0.003 0.016 0.112 16 Dalbergia sissoo Roxb13 53 7.2 0.119 0.031 0.15 1.95 17 Diospyros Montana Roxb. 9 76 12 0.38 0.1 0.48 4.32 18 Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl6 43 5.5 0.08 0.02 0.1 0.6 19 Eucalyptus citridora Linn.8 47 11 0.12 0.03 0.15 1.2 20 Ficus benghalensis L.2 28 4 0.01 0.0026 0.0126 0.02 21 Ficus carica L.3 80.5 8.8 0.176 0.045 0.22 0.66 22 Ficus palmata Forssk.25 38.87 5.5 0.026 0.0067 0.033 0.82 23 Ficus racemosa L.3 26 3.2 0.0067 0.0017 0.008 0.024 24 Ficus religiosa Linn.17 223 10.7 0.165 0.043 0.219 3.7 25 Flacourtia indica (Burm, f.) Merr.5 52.37 6.4 0.072 0.018 0.091 0.455 26 Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. Ex R. Br.2 87 16.5 0.643 0.167 0.81 1.62 27 Grewia optiva Drumm. 29 56 4.56 0.077 0.02 0.097 2.8 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(6), 56-61, June (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 61 exBurret. 28 Juglans regia Linn.2 80 7.4 0.26 0.067 0.327 0.65 29 Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit9 53 8 0.113 0.029 0.142 1.27 30 Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Mull. Arg13 50 6 0.077 0.02 0.097 1.26 31 Malus domestica Borkh7 52 3.78 0.06 0.015 0.075 0.525 32 Melia azaderach L.24 69.5 7.15 0.11 0.02 0.13 3.12 33 Morus alba Linn.19 63 7.5 0.2 0.052 0.252 4.78 34 Murraya Koenigii Spring 4 40 6 0.052 0.013 0.065 0.26 35 Olea ferruginea Royle161 67.6 5.46 0.176 0.045 0.22 35.42 36 Phyllanthus emblica L.10 36.5 4.6 0.038 0.01 0.048 0.48 37 Pinus roxburghii Sarg.46 79.5 16 0.36 0.09 0.45 20.7 38 Platanus orientalis L.4 42.5 5.5 0.05 0.013 0.063 0.25 39 Populus ciliata Wall. Ex Royle3 64 17 0.27 0.07 0.34 1.02 40 Prunus armeniaca L.7 83 4.25 0.186 0.05 0.234 1.638 41 Prunus domestica L. 4 38.33 5.2 0.06 0.015 0.07 0.28 42 Prunus persica Linn. 3 37.6 2 0.016 0.004 0.02 0.06 43 Psidium guajava L.11 57 4.3 0.073 0.018 0.092 1 44 Punicum granatum L.5 67.5 3.4 0.078 0.02 0.098 0.5 45 Pyrus communis Linn. 1 30 3.3 0.018 0.0046 0.023 0.023 46 Pyrus pashia Buch.Ham.ex.D.Don 17 59 6.4 0.133 0.034 0.167 2.84 47 Quercus leucotrichophora L. 1 120 16 1.28 0.33 1.61 1.61 48 Salix alba L. 1 82 14 0.374 0.097 0.47 0.47 49 Tamarindus indica L. 5 47 12 0.156 0.04 0.196 0.98 50 Toona ciliata M Roemer. 31 68 6.5 0.071 0.018 0.089 2.76 51 Ulmus wallichiana Planch1 122 18 1.19 0.31 1.5 1.5 52 Zanthoxyllum armatum L. 4 43 4.1 0.02 0.0052 0.025 0.1 53 Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. 23 43 4.16 0.048 0.012 0.06 1.38 Total 138.426 (t)