Estimates of Carbon Sequestered in the Trees of Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The build-up of greenhouse gases has brought a global concern regarding its effects on the global temperature. While the continuous production of carbon increases, and with the statistical record of 32.5 GT of carbon released in the atmosphere, different solutions are being drawn by society to fight against this global problem. in this study, the carbon sequestration potential of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna was estimated and assessed.

METHODS

An Experimental Quantitative Research Design was used to gather the field data that was used in the study. Trees with a circumference of 36 centimeter and above were the only ones measured. The tree species were first identified using several tree identification guides. A meter stick, a clinometer, and a tape measure were then used to measure the height and circumference of the tree. The raw data was then applied to a different formula to find the tree's carbon storage. The sum of the carbon storage measured in all trees was the estimated value of carbon storage for the city.

RESULTS

A total of 9476 trees of 20 different species were measured of its height and its diameter breast height, with smaller trees being excluded due to lower carbon storage. The total biomass production obtained for the whole city was 10318.1387 MT, with total carbon storage of 5159.0689 MT. Brgy. Malitlit was found to have the highest amount of carbon storage, with a value of 755.8892 MT. The species of Pterocarpus indicus, Castanopsis philippinensis, and Mangifera indica were shown to have the highest amount of carbon storage among the different species of trees that were measured along with the city.

DISCUSSIONS

The results show that the amount of carbon sequestration potential provides a good foundation for mitigating the effects of carbon dioxide emission in a city. It also shows that carbon storage of trees depends on many factors, but mainly depends on the Diameter Breast Height of the tree. Larger DBH would give the tree a higher biomass production and higher carbon storage. This study suggests continuing the initiatives of the city to obtain less emission and continue surveying the carbon emission and sequestration in its premises. The benefits of creating different approaches are substantial in mitigating the effects of Greenhouse gases and climate change.