Survival and carbon stock of forest species in mixed plantation at 8 years of age

Abstract

Forest plantations that aim to neutralize carbon contribute to climate change mitigation by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and fixing it in its biomass. Climate change mitigation via forest restoration is still a practice that needs scientific advances. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the survival and carbon stock of forest species in carbon offset plantation at eight years. The planting took place in December 2010 to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions related to an event at the Federal University of Viçosa in Viçosa-MG. Two hundred and eleven planted seedlings of sixteen Atlantic Forest species had their survival and carbon stock assessed at eight years, aiming to understand the species' carbon removal. The inventory was carried out annually from 2011 (12 months of age) to 2018 (96 months). Diameter at ground height (DAS in mm) and total height (H in m) data were collected. Survival at the end of the eighth year was 52.30% (180 individuals). The evaluated species, Albizia niopoides, Stryphnodendron polyphyllum, Senna multijuga and Enterolobium contortisiliquum did not show mortality rates. Stryphnodendron polyphyllum, Anadenanthera colubrina, Ateleia glazioveana and Citharexylum myrianthum stood out as species with the highest carbon stock at 8 years of age. The pioneer species obtained the highest carbon stock and survival, while the species with the lowest stock were the nonpioneer species. Thus, species that have the greatest carbon stock and potential for the implementation of restoration and carbon neutralization projects are S. multijuga, S. polyphyllum, A. glazioveana e A. colubrina, due to the high survival and carbon storage of these species.