E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) SEQUESTRATION CAPACITY OF TAMPILISAN FOREST

C. Tagupa1, A. Lopez2 and F. Caperida3, G. Pamunag4, A. Luzada5

Abstract This study estimated the carbon dioxide sequestered and stored in the forest trees of Jose Rizal Memorial State University Tampilisan Campus reservation. The study site contained the trees species Mohagany (Swietenia macrophylla), Gmelina (Gmelina arborea), Mangium (acacia magium) Rubber (Hevea brasilliensis) and natural forest trees (e.g. Dipterocarp species, etc). Results revealed that standard sized trees have better CO2 sequestration potential than the sapling and pole sized. These trees have the biggest merchantable height, trunk diameter and wood density. Among the species considered, Gmelina had the highest amount of CO2 sequestered and stored in stem followed by Mangium, Rubber and Mahogany at standard size. In addition, regression analysis indicated that the rate of CO2 sequestered and stored on trees are related to the growth characteristics as trunk diameter (DBH) and total height, but not with wood density. Moreover, the forest stand of JRMSU Tampilisan Campus reservation has a total sequestration capacity of 88.17 kT CO2.

Keywords: global warming, climate change, carbon dioxide sequestration, greenhouse

gasses, forest and merchantable volume

Introduction Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the earths surface resulting from the rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide CO2, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), and chlorofluorocarbons. The increased concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere attributes to the change in the worlds climate. GHGs destroy the ozone layer allowing the ultra violet rays to pass towards the earth surface. The intense heat emitted in the earth surface through radiation has hazardous effect on plants, animals, human race, and its total environment. Forest trees are considered as an important factor in mitigating climate change because of their role in carbon sequestration the process of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it in plants that use sunlight to turn CO2 into biomass and oxygen (ACIAR, 2008).

1 2

Department of Agroforestry, Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Tampilisan Campus Department of Plant Pathology, Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Tampilisan Campus 3 Department of Animal Husbandry, Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Tampilisan Campus 4 Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Tampilisan Campus 5 Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Tampilisan Campus

182

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

Forest ecosystems play an important role in climate change because they can be both sources and sinks of CO2 (Trexler and Haugen, 1994). Carbon in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted by rotting vegetation and (collectively called sources), and CO2 is sequestered or absorbed by trees (the so- called sinks). Likewise, where trees are cut, the stored carbons in them are again released into the atmosphere. Realizing the importance of trees in sequestering carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Tampilisan Campus reforested a hilly portion of its reservation with different species of trees. The school, in collaboration with the OISCA International, also initiated the extension services in some schools in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay advocating childrens forest program. The school also established a rubber tree plantation. The planting of trees is anchored on the belief that carbon dioxide can be stored in trees. The present study is an important step towards quantifying the carbon sequestration properties of the trees planted in the forested area of the University. Various other research considerations were tackled head on when exact quantification of these properties were made available. Hence, the present study. Research Method and Design Location and Description of the Study Area. The study was conducted in the reservation area of JRMSU Tampilisan Campus. It is located in barangay Znac, municipality of Tampilisan , Zamboanga del Norte (fig. 1). Specifically, the campus lies in the foothill of Mt. Gampoy, one of the tallest mountains in Zamboanga del Norte. The amount of carbon dioxide sequestered by trees in JRMSU - Tampilisan Campus reservation were estimated based on allometrics, getting the relationships between tree height, stem diameter and wood density to the amount of carbon stored in trees. Establishment of Sampling Sites and Sampling Plots. The study site covered the 40 hectares of reforested area, 550 hectares of rubber tree plantation and 200 hectares of natural forest. Sampling plots measuring 10 m x 20 m were established within the sampling sites. The plots were cordoned with a rope so that the perimeter of a plot can be seen. There were five sample plots (quadrats) established per hectares, and random sampling was used in the selection of sample areas in the study sites. Classification of Tree Stands and Data Collection. The different species of trees, regardless of age, were classified into sampling (< 10 cm), poles size (10 30 cm), and standards trees (> 3 0 cm), according to their diameter at least height (DBH). The number of trees found inside the perimeter of each classification, were tallied and recorded. Moreover, the merchantable height and the total height of trees were measured with the aid of a clinometers while the DBH and the top diameter of sample trees were determined using a calliper. Sampling for Wood Density. The wood density of each tree species was determined by taking wood samples from the trunk of ten trees. An approximately 1 inch, inch, and 2 inches wood samples were bored through the main trunk of sampling, pole, and standard size sample trees, respectively. The holes of each trunk were then treated with coal tar to prevent from further damages, especially insect pest and disease causing microorganisms. The woods were then shaped into cubes and then the fresh weight and the oven dry weight of cubes were determined using a triple beam balance. 183

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

Stand Volume of Sample Trees. Volume (m3) of trees was estimated using data on DBH, merchantable height and total height if individual trees found inside the sample plots. The volume per tree was determined following Phillip (1994) as cited by Sales et al. (2004) using the general formula: 0.7854*dbh2*mh/th*form factor. The form factor was computed as follows:

where: Vm = merchantable volume over bark (OB), defined by a specific top diameter (m), is basal area at breast height (m), and the is total height (m). The volume per hectare was estimated by the ratio of the average stand density of trees contained in sample plot areas (200 m2) to the area of one hectare (10,000m2). Biomass and Carbon Density of Sample Trees. The fresh and dry weights as well as the density (g/cm3) of wood samples for each tree species were determined. The amount of carbon dioxide in stems of trees was computed using the formula: Amount of CO2 = merchantable volume OB * wood density * 45% * 3.6663 where: 45% is a default value based on the overall estimate of carbon content of biomass of trees as proposed by IPCC (1996). 3.6663 is the ratio of CO2to C. Rate of Total CO2 Accumulation in Trees. The total amount of CO2 accumulated in trees were approximated based from Huy et al. (2008) who reported the following relationship: Total CO2 accumulation in trees: = 62 % in stem = 26 % in branches = 10 % in bark = 2 % in leaf

However, to avoid overestimation of the total CO2 content, the amount of CO2 in bark of trees was decided to be excluded, with the assumption that it was already incorporated in the stem part (as it considered merchantable volume over bark).

184

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

Results Table 1: Tree Species Found in Sampling Area Classification Planted Planted Planted Planted Natural Common Name Mohogany Gmelina Mangium Rubber Mangga Poso Anang Yakal Almon Kaatoang bangkal Tagoang uwak Tabian Mindanao cinnamon Nato Bagtikan Palosapis Pagsahingin Mayapis Kubi Binuang Narig Hagakhak Igyo Basikong Kalawang White lavan Apanang Apitong Malabayabas Binunga Katmon Scientific name Swietenia macrophylla Gmelina arborea Acacia mangium Hevea brasillensis Hopea mindanensis Diospyrus pyrrhcenpa Shorea astylosa Shorea almon Anthocephdus chinensis Croton leiophyllus Elaeocarpus moncera Cinnamon mindanensis Balaguium luzoniense Parashorea malaanonan Anisoptera thurifera Canarium asperum Shorea posapis Artocarpus nitidus Octomeles sumatrana Vatica mangachapoi Dipterocarpus validus Dysoxylum daeandrum Alphonsea arborea Ficus minahassae Shorea contorta Neotriwia cumingii Dipterocarpus grandiflorous Tristaniopsis dicorticata Macaranga tanarius Dillenia philippenensis

185

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

Table 2. Species, classification and density (No. of trees per hectare) of sample trees in the study site. Species Mohogany (Swietenia macrophylla) Total Gmelina (Gmelina arboreaI) Total Mangium (Acacia mangium) Total Rubber (Hevea brasillensis) Total Trees Classification Sapling Pole standard Sapling Pole standard Sapling Pole standard Sapling Pole standard Sapling Pole standard Stand density (Trees/ha.) 218.33 435.01 198.33 851.67 206.67 446.67 46.67 700.01 216.00 452.00 186.00 854.00 125.71 328.57 144.29 598.57 484.00 442.00 144.00 1,070.00 Total Area Covered (has.)

20

10

10

550

Dipterocarps, etc Total

200

Figure 2. The distribution of sample trees in the study site.

186

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

Characteristic Data of Trees Sampled

Biomass and Carbon Density. From the analysis, sapling generally have lesser biomass compared to pole sized trees; and pole sized trees have lesser biomass than standard sized (Table 3). Thus, the biomass is expressed in the following order of magnitude: standard sized > pole sized > sapling. It also shows that the biomass and carbon density varies among tree species at these stages. The carbon density value of Mahogany, Gmelina, Mangium, and Rubber from sapling to standard sizes ranged from 5 Mg/ha to 291 Mg/ha, 8.99 Mg/ha to 435 Mg/ha, 9.4 Mg/ha to 418.62 Mg/ha, and 12.89 Mg/ha to 411.88 Mg/ha, respectively.

187

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

Table 3. Estimate of CO2 Accumulation Based on Tree Species and Classification (Mg/ha) Species Mohogany (Swietenia macrophylla) Trees Classification Sapling Pole standard Sapling Gmelina (Gmelina arboreaI) Pole standard Sapling Mangium (Acacia mangium) Pole standard Sapling Pole standard Predicted CO2 Density (MG/ha) Stem 3.60 57.32 209.73 6.47 40.28 313.86 6.77 113.18 301.41 9.28 90.99 295.65 branches 1.30 20.70 75.74 2.34 14.55 113.33 2.44 40.87 108.44 3.35 32.86 107.09 Leaves 0.10 1.59 5.82 0.18 1.12 8.71 0.19 3.14 8.37 0.26 2.53 8.24 total 5.00 79.61 291.29 8.99 55.94 435.92 9.40 157.19 418.62 12.89 126.38 411.88

Rubber (Hevea brasillensis)

P = values: Sapling = 0.028; Pole = 0.113; Standard = 0.190

Analysis of variance showed that on the average, the capacity of trees to sequester CO2 varies among species at sapling stage (p = 0.028). However, as trees approached the pole and standard sizes, no significant variation exist in terms of their carbon sequestration capacity, p = 0.113 and 0.190, respectively.

Table 4. Analysis of variance for Comparing CO2 Sequestration of Terms Stage Sapling Pole Standard Mahogany 5.00 79.01 291.29 Gmelina 6.47 55.94 435.92 Mangium 6.77 157.19 418.12 Rubber 9.28 123.38 411.12 F- value 11.927* 3.984 2.755 P -value 0.028 0.113 0.190

Significant at 0.05 (p < .05) Relationship between Carbon Density and Growth Characteristics of Tree. Linear regression analysis indicated that the rate of CO2 Sequestered and stored is related to the trunk diameter (DBH) and total height of trees (TH). Wood density (WD), however, did not affect the rate of CO2 Sequestered and stored (Table 5). 188

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

Table 5. Relationship between the amount of CO2 sequestered Relative Equation ln (CO2 stem) = 8.3472489 + 1.3252205 * ln (DBH) ln (CO2 stem) = -3.333994 + 2.5263893 * ln (DBH) ln (CO2 stem) = 3.9733343 + 0.9055904 * ln (DBH) R2 0.916 0.621 0.010 < 0.05 < 0.05 > 0.05 P

Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Capacity of Tampilisan Forest. The carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration capacity of each of the forest trees in the reservation of JRMSU Tampilisan campus is shown in Table 6. Among the trees, Rubber had sequestered the highest amount of CO2 at 56.41 kT, followed by the natural forest trees, then Mahogany, Mangium and Gmelina at 27.91, 1.87, 1.51 and 0.47 kT, respectively. A total of 88.17 kT was observed to be the CO2 sequestration capacity of the forest stand in the reservation area of JRMSU Tampilisan campus. The variation in the amount of CO2 sequestered and stored in the species within the forest stand was affected greatly by the stand density of trees of their total population and the area planted to these trees, aside from other their biomass. The wider the area occupied by Rubber, compared to Mangium, Mahogany and Gmelina which covered only 10, 20, and 10 hectares, respectively. Whereas, the natural forest trees were about 200 hectares.

Table 6. CO2 sequestration capacity of the forest stand JRMSU Tampilisan Campus reservation. Species Mohogany (Swietenia macrophylla) Gmelina (Gmelina arboreaI) Mangium (Acacia mangium) Rubber (Hevea brasillensis) Natural Forest Trees Total CO2 Density (kT) 1.87 0.47 1.51 56.41 27.91 88.17

Discussion The data showed that the biomass and carbon density varies among tree species sampled when trees were at sapling stage, but as trees grew bigger and reached the pole and standard sizes, no more significant variation exist in terms of their carbon sequestration capacity. This implies that the four species of trees being considered have statistically comparable CO2 sequestration capacity. The parameters considered as wood density, merchantable height, total height, and trunk or stem diameter may have interplayed, giving additional or compensatory effects. The lower wood density values may be compensated for by greater height and trunk diameter, vice versa. This can be further explained by the fact the Gmelina and Mangium numerically showed to have the higher amount of carbon sequestered at older stages compared to Rubber which 189

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

performed the best at sapling stage. The work of Huy et al. (2008) however, revealed that biomass and carbon density varies among tree species. This study may have been using a large number of sample trees with significantly varied morphological characteristics. We might also have observed this had we only have enough samples of the native tree species to be included in our analysis. The carbon density values for Mahogany and Gmelina obtained from this experiment were comparable to that reported by Sales et al. (2005) who studied the carbon density values at various ages of these tree species in the Philippines. Furthermore, CO2 sequestration and storage were dependent on the amount of biomass of trees, specifically, on the variables trunk diameter and total height. This conforms to the findings of Terakunpisut et al. (2007) who mentioned that carbon sequestration potential in the different forest types tends to be correlated to DBH and tree height . Moreover, the wood density did not much differ from the four species considered so that it did not have a notable effective at removing carbon dioxide from the air, thus, it is considered as one of the variables in computing for carbon density. The value 88.17 kT as the total CO2 sequestration capacity of the forest stand in JRMSU Tampilisan campus reservation area is sufficient enough to contribute to the mitigation of climate change. Nased from the findings of Denman et al. (2007) and as cited by Lasco (2009) it is estimated that about 60 Gt C is exchanged between terrestrial ecosystems and at atmosphere every year. Maintenance and expansion of this carbon sink in our area may even showcase for the adaptation of the smallholders to climate change. Conclusions and Implications Based from this study, it is revealed that regardless of age, the bigger trees, particularly at their standard sizes, sequestered the greatest amount of CO2. Provide that the trees are allowed to grow and were not cut for any purpose at all, they continue to provide the safety net for the adverse effects of climate change. The significant amount of carbon sequestered at the Tamplisan campus of the University (with an area of 790 hectares) shows the potential and significant CO2 sequestration by trees. If all the other agricultural state universities in the country were to dedicate a thousand hectares for this purpose e.g. Central Mindanao University, Central Luzon State University and others, then developing these areas can greatly increase the amount of CO2 sequestered from the atmosphere. As it was noted, the sequestration capacity increases as the size of forest stand gets bigger. Any of the four species of trees (Rubber, Gmelina, Mahogany, Mangium) can be used in the reforestration program to help mitigate global warming, since it was also found out that there was no significant difference in terms of the rate of CO2 sequestration capacity as these trees becomes mature. Acknowledgement The authors wish to thank the research Unit of the Jose Rizal Memorial State University for the grant to conduct this study (Grant No. 007, 5. 2009).

190

E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 2010

References Banaticla, R.N., Sales, R.F. and Lasco, R.D. (2004). Biomass equation for tropical tree plantation species using secondary data from the Philippines, a paper submitted for the ACIAR End of the project Workshop held in Ormoc City, Philippines. Cacho, O.J., Hean, R.L., and Wise, R.M. Cacho, O., Hean, R., Ginoga, K., Wise, R., Djaenudin, D., Lugina, M., Wulan, Y., Subarudi, B., van Noordwijk, M. And Khasanah, N. (2008). Economic potential of land used change and forestry for carbon sequestration and poverty reduction. ACIAR technical reports No. 68, 98 pp. Devlin, R. (1981). Plant Physiology, 3rd ed., Litton educational Publishing, inc., New York, N.Y. Huy, b. And Anh, T.A. (2008). Estimating CO2 sequestraton in natural broad- leaved evergreen forest in Vietnam, Asia pacific Agroforestry newsletter, 7 10. Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change (1996).Revise Guidelines for GHG Inventory, Land Use and Forestry, sector,IPCC, London. Lasco, R.D., Sales, J.S., Arnuevo, m.T., Guillermo, I.Q., de Jesus, A.C., Medrano, R., Bajar, O.F., and Mendoza, C.V. (2002), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) storage and sequestered of land cover in the Leyte Geothermal reservation, Renewable Energy, (25): 307 -315. Lasco, R.D., Sales, R.F., Estrella, R., Saplaco, S.R., Castillo, A.S.A., Cruz, RV. O. And Pulhin, F.B. (2001) Carbon stock assessment of multistory agroforesting systems in a tropical forest reserve in the Philippines, The Philippines Agricultural Scientist, 84(4): pp. 401 407. Philip, M.S. (1994). Measuring Trees and Forests, 2nd ed., CABI Publishing, Wallingford. Sales, R.D. and Banaticla, R.N. (2005). Carbon storage and sequestration potential of small holder tree farms on Leyte Island, ACAIR Smallholder Forestry Project, Philippines. Taylor, R. (2008). Farm Forests as Carbon Sinks, Partners in Research for Development, Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Coretext Pty Ltd., Canberra, Australia, 16 18. Terakunpisut, J. Gaajaseni, N. And Ruankawe N. (2007). Carbon sequestration potential in aboveground biomass of Thong Pha Phum National Forest, Thailand. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research. 5(2): 93 102. Trexler, M.C., and Haugen, C. (1994). Keeping it Green: Evaluating Tropical Forestry Strategies to Mitigate Global Warming, World Resources, University of the Philippines, Los Baos, College, Laguna.

191