The study conducted at Punjab Forestry Research Institute in Faisalabad, Pakistan, during 2009-10 provides valuable insights into the factors influencing carbon sequestration in trees. This extensive research, involving 773 trees of 75 different species from the arboretum of the Punjab Forest Department at Changa Manga, highlighted significant findings. The average age of these trees was 40 years, with an average diameter of 36 cm and an average height of 13 meters. The accumulated data indicated that these trees sequestered approximately 850 tons of CO2.
A notable aspect of this study was the variation in CO2 sequestration among different species. For instance, the Eucalyptus botryoides, with a diameter of 65.02 cm, an age of 53 years, and a height of 15.18 meters, was found to sequester the maximum amount of CO2 (3527 kg). In contrast, the Robinia pseudoacacia, smaller in size with a diameter of 4.57 cm, an age of 46 years, and a height of 3.05 meters, sequestered the least amount of CO2 (6 kg). Additionally, the Pinus roxburgii, standing tall at 20.91 meters with a 55.12 cm diameter and 51 years of age, ranked second in CO2 sequestration (3492 kg CO2).
Interestingly, the study also revealed that the age of the trees had a non-significant effect on CO2 sequestration. For example, Eucalyptus melanopholia, aged 56 years with a 35.81 cm diameter and 14.9 meters in height, sequestered 1090 kg CO2. In comparison, Leucaena leucocephala, younger at 17 years with a 23.11 cm diameter and 8.69 meters in height, sequestered 428 kg CO2.
The comprehensive analysis concluded that tree diameter, rather than age or crop density, is the most significant factor affecting carbon sequestration in trees. This finding has substantial implications for forest management and climate change mitigation strategies, emphasizing the importance of tree size in carbon sequestration efforts.
This addition provides a more detailed analysis of the study’s findings, emphasizing the impact of tree diameter on carbon sequestration and its relevance to forest management practices.