Comparative study on the carbon storage capacity between indigenous and exotic forest tree species in Bangladesh

Forests play a vital role in reducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the photosynthesis process and store carbon in different pools of forests as biomass. Biotic and abiotic factors degrade forest resources throughout the country. On the other hand, artificial plantation is increasing at a geometrical rate with consideration of biomass and carbon storage capacity. The determination of biomass and carbon storage capacity of forest tree species is essential for the sustainable development of the environment and reducing global warming. The allometric equations and systematic sampling methods were followed for the determination of biomass and carbon storage of Albizia procera and Khaya anthotheca. The findings of the study indicated that the aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and total biomass values were 1116.37, 223.27, and 1339.64 kg tree⁻¹ found in Albizia procera and 1064.36, 212.87, and 1277.23 kg tree⁻¹ found in Khaya anthotheca. The results revealed that the aboveground carbon, belowground carbon, and total carbon values were 558.14, 111.64, and 664.82 kg tree⁻¹ found in Albizia procera and 532.18, 106.44, and 632.62 kg tree⁻¹ found in Khaya anthotheca. The c arbon storage capacity was 26.79 and 25.54 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ (kg) found in Albizia procera and Khaya anthotheca , respectively at 25 years old. Finally, carbon dioxide capturing values of Albizia procera and Khaya anthotheca were 98.32 and 93.72 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹, and oxygen releasing capacity values also were 71.77 and 68.45 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ respectively. In this case, Albizia procera and Khaya anthotheca were treated as indigenous and exotic forest tree species, respectively. Finally, it is concluded that the carbon storage capacity of indigenous tree species is higher than exotic forest tree species. So, the findings of the study will be helpful to the administrations, policymakers, other related organisations, and persons who directly or indirectly engaged with the implementation of plantation programmes.