Carbon storage in the aboveground biomass of the dipterocarp forest, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand

Abstract

Forests play a crucial role in global carbon cycling by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide in their biomass, with dipterocarp forests recognized as one of the most important carbon sinks in tropical Asia. This study aims to determine carbon storage in the aboveground biomass of the dipterocarp forest at the University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand, using an allometric equation, comparison of carbon sequestration across tree species, and social data analysis. Field data were collected across approximately 4,800 m2 by establishing three sampling plots. The biomass area calculation was performed to evaluate carbon storage and analyze the elements and importance of plants (important value index [IVI]). The results identified 943 trees belonging to 18 families and 41 species across the three studied stations, with an estimated carbon storage of 49.02 t C/ha in the total area of the University of Phayao. In addition, the tree species with the highest IVI was Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. (77.40%), followed by Shorea obtusa Wall. ex Blume. (64.76%), Pentacme siamensis (Miq.) Kurz. (37.59%), and Dipterocarpus obtusifolius Teijsm. ex Miq. (23.04%). Species diversity was measured at 2.19, species richness at 6.86, and species evenness at 0.59. The relationship between physical factors and carbon storage was inversely correlated at a correlation coefficient of −0.33, indicating a moderate negative relationship. Overall, the findings highlight the ecological importance of the dipterocarp forest at the University of Phayao as both a reservoir of biodiversity and a significant contributor to carbon storage, emphasizing its role in climate change mitigation and sustainable forest management.

Keywords

Carbon storage / Biomass / Dipterocarp forest

Funding

This research was funded by Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund (Fundamental Fund 2025, grant no.: 5034/2567).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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