THAI FOREST ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL

Vegetation Structure Characteristics and Carbon Stock of Mixed Deciduous Forest in Protected Area of Teak (Tectona grandis) Plantation, North Forest Industry Organization

Penpilai Piankhit¹, Kamonporn Panngom², Monthon Nosaengsri², Kunthaphong Kruama¹, Sirirat Somprakon¹, Waralee Srikue¹, Narinthorn Jumwong³, Pattama Sangvisitpirom³ and Lamthai Asanok^4,5*

¹Department of Forestry, Establishment project of Forestry school, Maejo University Phrae Campus. Phrae 54140
²Department of Forestry, Establishment project of Forestry school, Maejo University Phrae Campus. Phrae 54140
³Forestry Research Center, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Faculty of Forestry. Bangkok. 10900
⁴Department of Agroforestry, Maejo University Phrae Campus, Rong Kwang, Phrae, 54140 Thailand
⁵Green House Gas Management Centre, Establishment project of Forestry school, Maejo University Phrae Campus, Phrae 54140

*Corresponding author: Email: lamthainii@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34044/j.tferj.2024.8.2.06

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Knowledge on plant community characteristics and environments in natural forest can support conservation plan and promote carbon stock. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the structural characteristics and carbon stock of mixed deciduous forest (MDF) in protected area of plantation of North Forest Industry Organization.

Methodology: Fifteen of purposive sampling plots of 0.16 ha (40 m x 40 m) were established in five teak plantations. All trees and physical environmental factors were collected for plant community analyzing and evaluated the carbon stock.

Results: The results showed that a total of 122 tree species, 88 genera, and 40 families from 2,246 trees individually was found. The stems density and basal area were 935.83 trees ha-1 and 40.48 m²ha^-1, respectively, while, the species diversity index was 3.57. The MDF can be classified into three stands: 1) Tectona grandis stand, (MDF-TEGR), dominated with tree species such as Tectona grandis, Xylia xylocarpa, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Terminalia phillyreifolia, and Lannea coromandelica and was determined by elevation (ELEV), slope (SLPE), and distant from stream (DIST). Additionally, there was a carbon storage value of 493.44 ton.ha^-1. 2) Pterocarpus macrocarpus stand, (MDF-PTMA), dominated with tree species such as Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Cratoxylum formosum, Vitex peduncularis, Tectona grandis, and Litsea glutinosa. It had not clear for determined factors, while, the carbon stock value was 157.03 ton.ha^-1. And, 3) Millettia leucantha stand, (MDF-MILE), dominated by Millettia leucantha, Lagerstroemia cochinchinensis, Spondias pinnata, Millettia brandisiana, and Lannea coromandelica. The determined factor was temperature (TEMP) and the carbon storage was 184.29 ton.ha^-1.

Conclusion: The tree stands in MDF of protected area in teak forest plantation were differed relating to specific environments, affecting the difference of carbon stock ability. Therefore, managing forest plantation for biodiversity conservation and carbon stock should be concerned on relationship between plant community and environmental factors.

Keywords: Tree species diversity, limiting factors, economic plantation management, climate changes