Abstract
Year of Publication 2011
Smallholder
farming systems throughout the world are believed to be potential sinks to
remove atmospheric CO2. Smallholder bamboo farming system in Barak
Valley, Assam, which forms a part of the traditional homegarden system, holds
promise in this respect. Occurrence of bamboo in all homesteads coupled with
progressive increase in culm density over the years reflects its potential for
carbon (C) storage. Hundred homegardens were selected from the study site and
the total number of culms from all the different age classes per clump of Bambusa
cacharensis, Bambusa vulgaris and Bambusa balcooa were
recorded with their diameter at breast height. Harvest method was employed to
estimate the aboveground biomass and from biomass values C stock was
determined. C estimate in aboveground vegetation in bamboo farming system
ranged from 6.51 (2004) to 8.95 (2007) Mg ha–1 with 87%, 9% and 4%
of the total C stored in culm, branch and leaf respectively. The rate of C
sequestration was 1.20–1.46 Mg ha–1 yr–1, with a mean of
1.32 Mg ha–1 yr–1. In bamboo farming system under
selective felling regime, although the C stock and sequestration was low
compared to other agroforestry systems across the world, it represented a
permanent stock. Harvesting of mature culms was balanced by C gain from new
culms produced in the clump. Carbon assimilation ratio, an index to evaluate C
sequestration potential per unit of C stock, exhibited bamboo farming as an
efficient C sequester than other pure plantations or natural forests. Promotion
of smallholder bamboo farming systems to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas
levels to receive certified emission reduction is recommended.
Keywords: Bamboo farming, carbon assimilation ratio,
smallholder, homegarden.
Authors: Arun Jyoti Nath and Ashesh Kumar Das
Journal Name and Issue: Current Science 100 (2): 229-133 (IF 0.83).
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