Non-tree Carbon Pools and Tree Trait Effects in Polavaram Range, Andhra Pradesh” or “Litter, Herbaceous and Soil Carbon in Polavaram Range (Andhra Pradesh, India): Influence of Tree Height, DBH and Density
Ujji Pushpa Latha *
Department of Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences Prayagraj – 211007 (UP), India.
Antony Joseph Raj
College of Forestry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj – 211007 (UP), India.
Mukesh Kumar
Center for Geospatial Technologies, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences Prayagraj – 211007 (UP), India.
Akash Pal
Center for Geospatial Technologies, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences Prayagraj – 211007 (UP), India.
Satyendra Nath
Department of Environmental Science & Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences Prayagraj – 211007 (UP), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study quantifies carbon stocks in non-tree pools-litter, herbaceous vegetation, and soil organic carbon (SOC)—in tropical dry deciduous forests of Polavaram Range, Andhra Pradesh, India, spanning 24,331.42 ha. These pools are vital for carbon sequestration, supporting climate change mitigation. Field sampling in September 2024 used 20 m × 20 m plots, with litter and herbaceous vegetation collected from 1 m × 1 m quadrats and soil sampled at 0–30 cm depths. Carbon content, analysed via the Walkley-Black method, revealed total carbon stocks of 40.34-111.25 Mg C ha⁻¹, predominantly driven by SOC (36.44-108.37 Mg C ha⁻¹). Statistical analysis using SPSS showed that tree height and density significantly influenced litter carbon (p < 05, R² = 75), while species like Millettia auriculata enhanced SOC, and Terminalia corlacea and Tectona grandis shaped litterfall dynamics. These findings underscore the critical role of non-tree carbon pools in sustainable forest management and carbon credit programs. By identifying species-specific contributions, this research offers actionable strategies to optimize carbon storage in tropical forests, advancing climate resilience and informing policy for effective forest conservation.
Keywords: Carbon stock assessment, litterfall production, forest management, nutrient cycling, climate change mitigation