(1)FYP FSB ABOVE GROUND BIOMASS AND CARBON STOCK IN 1 HA PLOT OF GUNUNG BASOR FOREST RESERVE

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(1)FYP FSB ABOVE GROUND BIOMASS AND CARBON STOCK IN 1 HA PLOT OF GUNUNG BASOR FOREST RESERVE. By. RABAITUL ATHIRAH BINTI AHMAD AZHAR. A report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science (Natural Resources Science) with Honors. FACULTY OF EARTH SCIENCE UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA KELANTAN. 2019.

(2) I declare that this thesis entitled ―Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Stock in 1 Ha Plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve‖ is the result of my own research except as cited in the references. The thesis has not been accepted for any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature of any other degree.. Signature. : ..................................................... Name. : RABAITUL ATHIRAH BINTI AHMAD AZHAR. Date. :. i. FYP FSB. DECLARATION.

(3) ―I hereby declare that I have read this thesis and in my opinion this thesis is sufficient in terms of scope and quality for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science (Natural Resources Science) with Honors‖. Signature. : ………………………….......... Name of Supervisor : Date. :. ii. FYP FSB. APPROVAL.

(4) In the name of Allah most benevolent and most merciful. With high gratitude to Allah S.W.T. who gave me the ideas and physical strength in preparing my degree dissertation. First and foremost, I would like to convey my utmost gratitude and thanks toward my research supervisor, Dr Norashikin Bt Mohd Fauzi for every guidance and supervision throughout the process in completing my degree dissertation. I also would like to enunciate special recognition to Kelantan Forestry Department for allowing and permitting me to conduct my research in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, Kelantan. An expression of acknowledgement also to Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and lab assistants for the facilities and help provided during my field sampling. A million thanks also to the Research Assistant, Syahmi B Hanafi for the greatest and utmost amount of help and assistance during my field sampling. I also would like to express my special appreciation to all my teammates, Nur Syafira Bt Mohamad Pazol, Maizatul Afiqah Bt Mohd Zaki, Nur Shuhadah Bt Azahari and Nik Norain Bt Nik Hassan for their endless hard work in helping and supporting me along the journey in completing my dissertation. In addition, thank you to my roommate, Siti Nursyamimi Bt Nasaruddin, all my friends and course mates for all the encouragement, helps and kind words during the challenging period in completing this dissertation. Big thanks also to whomever who keep accompanying me during my journey to complete this degree dissertation. Thank you. Afterwards, I would like to dedicate my expression of gratitude towards my family members especially both my parents, Ahmad Azhar B Deris and Rosmita Bt Ismail who always support me and help me financially and mentally along the duration of completing this dissertation. iii. FYP FSB. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

(5) ABSTRACT. Forest ecosystem said to play a major role in global carbon cycle. The forest biomass estimation is vital and act as important indicator in observing and estimating the changes of carbon cycle in forest ecosystem. A study was conducted in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, Kelantan to estimate the value of above ground biomass and carbon stock. In this study, 1 ha plot was established in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. A forest inventory data using a nondestructive method was done to measure the diameter breast height of selected trees. Total 137 trees with diameter breast height of 5 cm and above was identified and measured. Most of the trees found fell into DBH range of class 1 which is between 5 cm and 15 cm with total 77 trees. However, the highest value of above ground biomass, 124.34 t/ha was contributing by the trees with DBH 65 cm and above. Total value for above ground biomass in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve was 163.72 t/ha. The carbon stock values was 50% from the above ground biomass value which was 81.86 t/ha. Overall, from this study indicate that the selective management system is important in conserving the biomass in forest ecosystem.. iv. FYP FSB. Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Stock in 1 Ha Plot Of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.

(6) ABSTRAK. Ekosistem hutan dikatakan memainkan peranan utama dalam kitaran karbon global. Anggaran biojisim hutan adalah penting dan bertindak sebagai petunjuk penting dalam memerhatikan dan menganggarkan perubahan kitaran karbon dalam ekosistem hutan. Satu kajian telah dijalankan di Hutan Simpan Gunung Basor, Kelantan untuk menganggarkan nilai biojisim atas tanah dan stok karbon. Dalam kajian ini, 1 hektar plot telah ditubuhkan di Hutan Simpan Gunung Basor. Data inventori hutan menggunakan kaedah yang tidak menentu telah dilakukan untuk mengukur ketinggian diameter pada paras dada pokok yang dipilih. Jumlah 137 pokok dengan ketinggian diameter pada paras dada 5 cm ke atas telah dikenal pasti dan diukur. Kebanyakan pokok yang ditemui jatuh ke dalam kelas DBH kelas 1 iaitu di antara 5 cm dan 15 cm dengan jumlah 77 pokok. Bagaimanapun, nilai tertinggi biojisim atas tanah, 124.34 t/ha disumbang oleh pokok-pokok dengan DBH 65 cm dan ke atas. Jumlah nilai bagi biojisim atas tanah di Hutan Simpan Gunung Basor adalah 163.72 t/ha. Nilai stok karbon adalah 50% daripada nilai biojisim atas tanah iaitu 81.86 t/ha. Keseluruhannya, dari kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa sistem pengurusan terpilih adalah penting dalam memelihara biomas dalam ekosistem hutan.. v. FYP FSB. Biojisim Atas Tanah Dan Stok Karbon Di 1 Hektar Hutan Simpan Gunung Basor.

(7) PAGE TITLE DECLARATION. i. APPROVAL. ii. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. iii. ABSTRACT. iv. ABSTRAK. v. TABLE OF CONTENTS. vi. LIST OF TABLES. viii. LIST OF FIGURES. ix. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. x. LIST OF SYMBOLS. xi. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. 1. 1.1. Background of Study. 1. 1.2. Problem Statement. 3. 1.3. Objective. 3. 1.4. Scope of Study. 4. 1.5. Significant of Study. 4. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. 5. 2.1. Rainforest in Malaysia. 5. 2.2. Biomass and Carbon Stock. 6. 2.3. Above Ground Biomass. 8. 2.4. Allometric Equation. 9. 2.5. Factor Affecting Carbon Stock in Forest. 10. vi. FYP FSB. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(8) 12. 3.1. Study Area. 12. 3.2. Materials. 14. 3.3. Methodology. 16. 3.3.1. Sampling Site. 16. 3.3.2. Coordinate Point. 17. 3.3.3. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) Measurement. 18. 3.3.4. Data Analysis. 20. CHAPTER 4: RESULT AND DISCUSSION. 22. 4.1. Developing Allometric Equation. 22. 4.2. Diameter Breast Height (DBH) Measurement. 25. 4.3. Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Stock.. 27. CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 33. REFERENCES. 34. APPENDIX A. 37. APPENDIX B. 38. APPENDIX C. 39. APPENDIX D. 40. vii. FYP FSB. CHAPTER 3: MATERIAL AND METHOD.

(9) Table. Description. Page. 3.1. List of materials. 14. 3.2. List of coordinate points taken in sampling site. 17. 3.3. Equation for above ground biomass and carbon stock. 21. 4.1. Estimated biomass value. 23. 4.2. Total number of tree and diameter breast height classes in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. 4.3. Total amount of above ground biomass and carbon stock in 1 Ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. 4.4. 25. 27. Total amount of above ground biomass and carbon stock in 1 Ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve in different DBH classes. 4.5. 28. Previous study on biomass estimation in tropical forest in Malaysia. 32. viii. FYP FSB. LIST OF TABLES.

(10) Figures. Descriptions. Page. 2.1. Rate of deforestation. 11. 3.1. Study area. 13. 3.2. Sampling plot. 16. 3.3. Methods to measure tree diameter in different position. 19. 4.1. Total number of trees and DBH classes in 1 ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. 4.2. 26. Above ground biomass and carbon stock in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. ix. 29. FYP FSB. LIST OF FIGURES.

(11) IPCC. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. DBH. diameter breast height. LDF. lowland dipterocarp forest. HDF. highland dipterocarp forest. MDF. mixed dipterocarp forest. AGB. above ground biomass. BGB. below ground biomass. TAGB. total above ground biomass. GPS. global positioning system. Ha. hectare. t/ha. tonne/hectare. mm. millimeter. m. meter. cm. centimeter. kg. kilogram. d. diameter. H. height. Y. biomass (kg). asl. above sea level. a. regression. b. regression. Ws. stem biomass (kg). Wb. stem branches (kg). Wt. total biomass (kg) x. FYP FSB. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.

(12) %. percent. C. degree celsius. ˚. degree. /. division slash. +. addition. =. equal to. *. multiplication. >. greater than. (). parentheses. X. multiplication pi. xi. FYP FSB. LIST OF SYMBOLS.

(13) INTRODUCTION. 1.1.. Background of Study Carbon exists in the earth‘s atmosphere primarily as the gas carbon dioxide. It. constitutes about 0.04% in the earth‘s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide plays an important role to support life on earth. For example, it plays a huge role in the photosynthesis process in the plant by converting it into oxygen and release to the atmosphere. However, nowadays the concentration of carbon dioxide is increasingly high. This rise is due to anthropogenic factors such as deforestation, forest clearing for agriculture use and also high demand for development because of increasing human population which can cause an impact and uses of natural resources. All these activities affect the global carbon cycle. Forest ecosystem plays an important role in carbon sequencing. Through its vegetation, it helps in removing the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores the carbon in the plant tissues, forest litter, and soils (Vashum and Jayakumar, 2012). The tropical forests are said to play a major role in the global carbon cycle, storing up to about 46% of the world‘s terrestrial carbon pool and about 11.55% of the world‘s soil carbon pool, acting as a carbon reservoir and functioning as a constant sink of atmospheric carbon (Lugo and Brown, 1982).. 1. FYP FSB. CHAPTER 1.

(14) involves namely the above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, the dead mass of litter, woody debris and soil organic matter. The above-ground biomass is the major portion of the carbon pool where any changes in the land use system can bring direct impact on this carbon pool. This biomass estimation can be determined using both field estimation and remote sensing (Ravindranath and Ostwald, 2007). Two field measurement often use is a destructive and nondestructive method (DeYoung, 2016). In this study, the nondestructive method was used where the diameter at breast height was measured and the biomass was calculated using suitable allometric equations (Brown, Gillespie, and Lugo, 1989). Currently, there are many allometric equations derived from multiple researches to calculate the forest biomass. However, in this study, it is estimated that allometric equation from (Kato, 1978) is suitable to be used to determine the above ground biomass in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. Chave et al. (2005); Nelson et al. (1999) stated that the allometric equations and regression models, for biomass estimation, should not be used beyond their range of validity, this is why (Vashum and Jayakumar, 2012) said, while choosing a method for biomass estimation, one should keep in mind the applicability or the suitability of that method for the area or forest type or tree species. Estimating the forest biomass and carbon stocks is important to assess the magnitude of carbon exchange between the forest ecosystem and the atmosphere. Through the assessment also helped in quantifying the amount of carbon sequestered by a forest, and at once given information about the forest condition.. 2. FYP FSB. According to IPCC (2006), in a terrestrial ecosystem, there are five carbon pools.

(15) Problem Statement The production forest of Gunung Basor has been exploited for legal harvesting. purpose in the late 1990s. This land use change has disturbed and caused changes in the vegetation and natural land area there. Thus, it has indirectly effected the carbon exchange between the forest ecosystem and the atmosphere in Gunung Basor. This study was conducted to know the value of aboveground biomass and carbon stock stored in the Gunung Basor. The baseline data of carbon stock in Gunung Basor was scarce. The previous study of carbon stock estimation was conducted in lowland dipterocarp forest by Norashikin et al., (2016). Unfortunately, the study on hill dipterocarp has not been executed for the time being. By having the accumulative data, a comprehensive carbon stock estimation could be established for the whole area of Gunung Basor, comprising from lowland to montane forests.. 1.3. Objective. The objectives of this study were: . To estimate the aboveground biomass in 1 ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. . To estimate the carbon stock in 1 ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. 3. FYP FSB. 1.2.

(16) Scope of Study This study was focused on the above-ground biomass and carbon stock in hill. dipterocarp forest of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. The aboveground biomass and carbon stock were determined by using field measurement which included the DBH measurement and allometric equation.. 1.5. Significance of Study The main finding of this study enables to know the amount of carbon stock. through the aboveground calculation. Besides, from this study also provided data on aboveground biomass and carbon stock to Forestry Department, so they can provide a sustainable forest management in managing the forest in Gunung Basor. Through this study also helped to provide future references for a researcher on aboveground biomass and carbon stock in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. 4. FYP FSB. 1.4.

(17) LITERATURE REVIEW. 2.1. Rainforest in Malaysia According to Saiful and Latiff (2017) stated that, natural forests in Malaysia are. estimated to cover 19.26 million ha which 58.6% of the total land area. Malaysia is one of the developing countries with high percentage of forested area. About 14.06 million ha of the forest area has deputed as permanent forest state. The use of permanent forest state is as production forest for timber source and also can acts as watershed area and for sustenance of the environment. Natural forest in Malaysia can be classified into three major types, which are mangrove, peat swamp and dry land. In dry land area, mostly are dominated by tree from the Dipterocarpaceae family, hence the term ‗dipterocarp forests‘ is used. The dipterocarp forest occurs above sea level to an altitude of about 900 m. The type of forest can be classified according to altitude starting from lowland dipterocarp forest (LDF) which is up to 300 m above sea level (asl). The dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia, on elevations of 300 and 750 m above sea level, is classified as hill dipterocarp forest (HDF) (Whitmore, 1984), and the upper dipterocarp forests, from 750 m to 1,200 m above sea level. However, if both the lowland and hill dipterocarp forests combined together, it can be known as mixed-. 5. FYP FSB. CHAPTER 2.

(18) vertically into different height strata or layers, with vegetation organized into a vertical pattern from the top of the soil to the canopy (Bourgeron, 1983). The vertical structure is generally three storied which are emergent layer, main canopy layer and understory layer. Topographic locations have profound influences on forest profiles. The rainforest in Malaysia is important as it plays many roles in conserving the diversity of flora and fauna, acts as natural water reservoir and barrier and most importantly give a lot of benefits in carbon sequencing process.. 2.2. Biomass and Carbon Stock Biomass plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle. Biomass is defined as all of the. earth's living matter, plants, and animals. Plant biomass is defined as a product of a photosynthesis process, where tree captures carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and release oxygen into the air. Forest play important role in carbon cycle as it stored more amount of biomass and carbon in tree compare to the carbon stored in the atmosphere. Tropical rainforest contributes the greatest amount of biomass as it consists of many types of vegetation. It is estimated that about 86% of the terrestrial above-ground carbon and 73% of the earth‘s soil carbon are stored in the forests.. 6. FYP FSB. dipterocarp forest (MDF). Tropical rainforests are often envisioned as being divided.

(19) the above-ground biomass (AGB), below-ground biomass (BGB), the dead mass of litter, woody debris and soil organic matter according to IPCC (2006). Estimation of the accumulated biomass in the forest ecosystem is important for assessing the productivity and sustainability of the forest. There are two types of method that can be used to estimate forest biomass. The first one is the destructive method. The destructive method is known as the harvest method and is the direct method for estimation of above-ground biomass and the carbon stocks. This method involving harvesting of the component trees like a tree trunk, leaves, and branches. It is also involving, the weighing method of all component after having done the oven dried process. This method is only used for a small area and small tree size and is not suitable for degraded forests as it contains threatened species. The second method of tree biomass estimation is the nondestructive method. The nondestructive method can be applied in an area with protected species. Estimation the aboveground biomass using nondestructive methods is used by measuring the diameter at breast height, the height of the tree, the volume of the tree and wood density and calculates the biomass using allometric equations. The method that was used in this study is by the nondestructive method.. 7. FYP FSB. There are five carbon pools of terrestrial ecosystem involving biomass, namely.

(20) Above Ground Biomass According to IPCC (2006), above ground biomass can be define as all living. biomass above the soil including stem, stump, branches, bark, seeds and foliage. Baishya, Barik and Upadhaya (2009) stated that, the tropical forests are more effective in carbon sequestration than any other forests because of higher net productivity. Forest ecosystem contains 80% of the total above ground and 40% of the total below ground terrestrial carbon stock (Lugo and Brown. 1984; Dixon et al. 1994). The above-ground biomass of a tree constitutes the major portion of the carbon pool. It is the most important and visible carbon pool of the terrestrial forest ecosystem (Vashum and Jayakumar, 2012). Assessing the above ground biomass is important as it help with estimation of the forest carbon stock. In Malaysia tropical forest, many studies had been conducted to access the above ground biomass than below ground biomass as above ground biomass contribute larger percent of biomass. Assessing above ground biomass is also whole lot easier and less complicated than below ground biomass. This is supported by studies from Lajuni and Latiff, (2013) in Kha Chong forest, that value of below ground biomass was one tenth of the value above ground biomass.. 8. FYP FSB. 2.3.

(21) Allometric Equation. Allometric equations are developed to be applied in forest inventory data to help calculating the value of biomass and carbon stock of forest. Allometric equation established through the relationship between the parameter of tree such as diameter at breast height (DBH), height of the trees, tree species and weight of the stem and branches. Brown et al. (1989) has developed allometric equation for the tropical forest to estimate above ground biomass of individual and mixed species, however, this equation only suitable for live trees and does not suitable for standby dead trees and fallen litter. In Amazon, a study has been conducted by Nelson et al. (1999) to develop species specific and mixed species allometric equation. Ketterings et al. (2001) had proposed an allometric equation for mixed secondary forest in Sumatra, Indonesia. The equation proposed is only suitable for trees with DBH between 8 cm and 48 cm. Helmisaari et al. (2002) conducted study on scots pine forest in Finland and this study is confirmed by (Xiao and Ceulemans, 2004). The study was conducted to derived allometric relationship of branch and foliage biomass. Aboal et al. (2005) also developed an allometric equation for estimating tree biomass in the Gomera laurel forest, Canary Islands. In Sarawak, about 136 trees from 23 species were harvested to measure the above ground biomass in tropical secondary forest (Kenzo et al., 2009). Navár (2009) also developed allometric equations to estimate the biomass and carbon stocks for temperate forest and tropical dry forests of Mexico. These allometric equations are useful to estimate biomass of forests with complex diversity structure. Djomo et al. (2011) also conducted a study to estimate the total aboveground biomass of a moist tropical forest in South-western Cameron using a 9. FYP FSB. 2.4.

(22) has a significant effect on the biomass calculations since the forest biomass estimates vary with age of the forest, site class and stand density (Vashum and Jayakumar, 2012). Hence, the generalized allometric equations available for large landscape scales should be used with caution as the site greatly influences allometric relationships (Montagu et al., 2005).. 2.5. Factor Affecting Carbon Stock in Forest Changes in biomass in the forest can be caused by several factors whether by. naturals succession or by anthropogenic factors. Change in forest structure can give direct impact on carbon stock exchange in the forest as forest plays a vital role in removing carbon dioxide from atmosphere and store in wood, dead organic matter and soil carbon. Human activity had become a major problem that contributes to the alteration of the carbon cycle. Land use change is one of the human activities that contribute to this problem. Land use change can be defined as a change that happens in the natural land caused by human activities. The increasing amount of human population nowadays has given a higher demand for land change use for the various purpose urbanization, construction or agriculture.. 10. FYP FSB. locally developed mixed species allometric equation. The choice of allometric equations.

(23) deforestation is accelerating faster than anywhere else. This problem needs to be fixed as it can cause a long-term rise of heat in atmospheric and the emission of gases into the atmosphere can resulting in global warming. A sustainable management like low impact logging and forest management certification need to be implanted to help in sustaining the forest.. (Source: ©Google Image) Figure 2.1: Rate of deforestation. 11. FYP FSB. Based on the graph in figure 2.1, the graph shows that Malaysia rate of.

(24) MATERIALS AND METHOD. 3.1. Study Area This study was conducted in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, Jeli, Kelantan. The. area of Gunung Basor is approximately 40,613 ha. 34,763 ha of Gunung Basor are gazette as a permanent forest reserve and 5,850 ha of Gunung Basor were targeted as production forest. Gunung Basor receives mean annual rainfall of 2750 to 3000 millimeter with a temperature between 32°C and 25°C. Gunung Basor consists of three types of vegetation which are lowland dipterocarp, hill dipterocarp, and montane forests (Norashikin et al., 2016). Figure 3.1 show the study area.. 12. FYP FSB. CHAPTER 3.

(25) FYP FSB Figure 3.1: Study area. 13.

(26) Materials Table 3.1 shows list of materials used in this research. Table 3.1: List of materials. No. Item. 1. GPS Navigator. Image. Description. . The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system. GPS Navigator was used to locate and. (Source : ©Google Image). find the coordinate of the study area.. 2. . Machete. Used to cut all the unwanted shrubs and bushes at the study area.. (Source : ©Google Image). 14. FYP FSB. 3.2.

(27) . Measuring Tape. A measuring tape was used to measure distance of an area. Measuring tape was used to measure the area of the study site.. (Source : ©Google Image). 4. . Rope. Used to make the sampling plot.. (Source : ©Google Image). 15. FYP FSB. 3.

(28) Methodology. 3.3.1. Sampling Site The most commonly used method for forest inventory is the plot method. A plot. can be in many shapes but most commonly used is square plot. In this study, a plot was established as a sampling site in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. The area for the plot was 100 m x 100 m. The plot distance was measured using measuring tape. In this study, the subplot cannot be established due to the circumstances as the sampling site was in hilly area which is uneven and have a steep and elevated area. The coordinate of the sampling site was taken by using the Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS). Figure 3.2 shows the example of the sampling plot.. 100 m. 100 m Figure 3.2: Sampling plot. 16. FYP FSB. 3.3.

(29) In this study, seven coordinate points were established in the sampling site. Each point marked at different area and different altitude. The distanced between each coordinate point was 50 m and each distanced between each point was fixed. The coordinate for each point was taken using the GPS and each tree was marked. Table 3.2 below shows the list of coordinate points taken in sampling site. Table 3.2: List of coordinate points taken in sampling site. Point. Latitude. Longitude. Altitude(m). A. 5˚3 47.1. 1 1˚47 41.. 1045. B. 5˚3 47.1. 1 1˚47 41.7. 1047. C. 5˚3 44.7. 1 1˚47 43.8. 1094. D. 5˚3 44.. 1 1˚47 4 .9. 1066. E. 5˚3 44.1. 1 1˚47 4 .8. 1010. F. 5˚3 45.. 1 1˚47 44.. 1097. G. 5˚3 45.. 1 1˚47 43.7. 1100. 17. FYP FSB. 3.3.2 Coordinate Point.

(30) In this study, field data collection had been carried out to find the possible parameters that can be used to calculate the above ground biomass. Parameters that have been obtained in this study were the diameter at breast height (DBH). The DBH measurements that were used in this study were a nondestructive method where the circumference of the tree was measured by using a measuring tape. In this study, only trees with a diameter more than 5cm were measured since Gunung Basor is a logged over forest, it consist trees with big diameter as most trees there have a butt swell which is to support the trees from heavy wind, steep slopes and sparsely populated stand. The standard measurement for normal tree trunk was measured at 1.3m from the ground. But trees growths in many irregular ways as it needs adaptation from it stand position as it can growth in different slopes and topography. Figure 3.3 by Witwicki et al. (2017) below shows the accurate method to measure trees in different position. Then by using the conversion method, the circumference of tree was converted into DBH using DBH calculation shown below:. Equation 1 : Diameter at breast height calculation. 18. FYP FSB. 3.3.3 Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) Measurement.

(31) FYP FSB (Source: Witwicki et al., 2017). Figure 3.3: Methods to measure tree diameter in different position.. 19.

(32) There are several methods that can be used in calculating above ground biomass. But the two primary methods that have been outlined were, by using a destructive methods and nondestructive method. However, based on Basuki et al. (2009) ; Chave et al. (2005); Ketterings et al. (2001); Mohd Zaki and Abd Latif. (2017) stated that using the destructive sampling method to develop a new technique would take a huge amount of resources and would involve cutting down a lot of large trees. In a forest reserve area, a nondestructive method is more suitable as it help to preserve the biodiversity of the area without causing any disturbance. From the field measurement, the allometric equation was developed to calculate the above ground biomass. Allometric equation is a relationship between two parameters such as DBH and height where DBH was used as a predictor for volume or biomass (Syafinie and Ahmad, 2015). In this study, the suitable allometric equation used to calculate the AGB was based on the Kato et al. (1978) which commonly practiced in Malaysia. The equation used shown below:. 𝑊S = 0.313(D 2H)0.9733 𝑊B = 0.039(D 2H)1.041 1 / 𝑊t = 1 / 0.124𝑊. 0.794. + 1 / 125. 20. FYP FSB. 3.3.4 Data Analysis.

(33) TAGB = WS + Wb + Wl However, in this study, the nondestructive method was used in field data acquirement where it does not involve any cutting and weighing process. Hence, a modified Kato et al. (1978) equation was used to calculate the above ground biomass in this study. Carbon stock can be estimated through the calculation of above ground biomass. According to Brown et al. (1989), the carbon stock of forest is assumed 50% from the value of the biomass. Below are the modified and the calculation of carbon stock that has been used in this study: Table 3.3: Equation for AGB and carbon stock. Source. Equation. Modified Kato et al., (1978). Y = 0.2544* (Dbh)2.3684. Brown et al., (1989). Biomass x 0.5. 21. FYP FSB. Where, the total above ground biomass was calculated as:.

(34) RESULT AND DISCUSSION. 4.1. Developing Allometric Equation In estimating forest biomass, there are various allometry model has been. designed according to the forest suitability and types. Allometry equation developed through field sampling methods which are destructive and nondestructive method. Mohd Zaki and Abd Latif, (2017) stated that in destructive method, the allometric equation was established to quantify the above ground biomass of specific tree species. As example, allometric equation for a mixed secondary forest in Sumatra, Indonesia has been established by Ketterings et al. (2001), while Basuki et al. (2009) has estimated an allometric equation for specific tree species in Kalimantan forest. Alvarez et al. (2012) also had explored the allometric equation developed for the Colombian forest. Brown et al. (1989) has developed allometric regression equations to estimate the above ground biomass of individual tress for tropical forests.. 22. FYP FSB. CHAPTER 4.

(35) used was based on (Kato, 1978). In this study, modified (Kato, 1978) was used to estimate the above ground biomass in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. This modified equation was derived from the Kato et al. (1978) equations to develop regression of the form Y = a (Dbh)b. Where: Y = Biomass (kg) Dbh = Diameter breast height (cm) The equation was shown in Table 3.3. (Heng and Tsai, 1999) stated that this modified equation, the estimated biomass density value was shown in the Table 4.1. Table 4.1: Estimated biomass value DBH. Estimated biomass value based on modified Kato. 10. 59.4. 20. 306.8. 30. 801.6. 40. 1584.3. 50. 2687.6. 60. 4139.0. 70. 5962.8. 80. 8180.8. 90. 10813.0. 100. 13877.7. 110. 17392.1. 23. FYP FSB. However in Malaysian tropical forest, the most common allometric equation.

(36) Gunung Basor Forest Reserve due to some constraints in sampling site. Gunung Basor Forest Reserve is known as Hill Dipterocarp Forest (HDF) where this type of forests boasts of specific classical features of very tall trees, multi-layered canopy and buttress roots trees. In modified Kato equation, the only parameter used is tree DBH. According to Hergoualc‘h and Verchot. (2013) and Chave et al. (2014) height is the commonly used variable and can lead to less biased estimates of above ground biomass. This is due to the fact by Feldpausch et al. (2010) that, site differences in tree allometry are almost entirely driven by differences in height and diameter allometry and thus tree height is an important allometric factor that needs to be considered in order to improve forest biomass estimates (Feldpausch et al., 2012). However in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, the tree height assessment through ground-based measurement was challenging as Gunung Basor is a dense forest. It was difficult to see the top of individual tree in closed-canopy tropical forests. Furthermore, the trunks are sometimes leaning and tree crown dimensions are large, making it difficult to decipher between adjacent trees (Larjavaara and Muller‐Landau, 2013). As a result, the modified Kato was chosen to calculate the AGB in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. 24. FYP FSB. This modified Kato equation was used to assess the above ground biomass at the.

(37) DBH Measurement DBH measurement is widely used in forest inventory data as one of the. important methods to acquire the circumference of standing trees as one of the parameter in determining the biomass of forest. This method is suitable to be used in this study as Gunung Basor Forest Reserve is a protected forest, thus a nondestructive method has been used which involving measuring the tree diameter. In this study, the trees with DBH more than 5 cm were measured by using a measuring tape. The trees were measured in 1 ha of selected study area in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. Altogether in this study, total 137 numbers of trees with DBH more than 5 cm was calculated. Table 4.2 and Figure 4.1 summarized the DBH distribution of trees in this study plot. Table 4.2: Total number of trees and DBH classes in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. DBH Classes. Range (cm). Total Number of Trees. Class 1. 5- 15. 77. Class 2. 15 - 25. 34. Class 3. 25 - 35. 14. Class 4. 35 - 45. 4. Class 5. 45 - 55. 1. Class 6. 55 - 65. 2. Class 7. > 65. 5. 25. FYP FSB. 4.2.

(38) 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0. Total Number of Trees. 5- 15. 15 - 25. 25 - 35. 35 - 45 45 - 55 DBH Range (cm). 55 - 65. > 65. Figure 4.1: Total number of trees and DBH classes in 1 ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. Table 4.2 shows that the diameter of tree trunk in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve was divided into seven classes. Most majorities of trees was fall into Classes One as it contribute to the highest number of trees found in study area where the DBH range, was from 5 cm until 15 cm. This shows that the forest were an actively regenerating forest as the trees stands are developing with young trees. The regeneration of forest is dependent on the availability of mother trees, fruiting pattern and favorable condition (Suratman et al., 2010). While, Classes Five contributed to lowest number of trees found in study area where the DBH range was from 45 cm until 55 cm. From this graph also, showed that, there were total five numbers of trees from Classes Seven with DBH greater than 65 cm has been found in study area. This stipulates that Gunung Basor Forest Reserve can also be identified as matured or climax forest judging from the presence of the large trees. From this graph also can indicated that Gunung Basor Forest Reserve have different forest stratification based from the different sizes of tree diameter, which indicates different height of tree.. 26. FYP FSB. Number of Trees. Total Number of Trees vs DBH Range.

(39) Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Stock In this study, a nondestructive method had been used to measure the. aboveground biomass. This was because, the sampling site was protected forest, and hence, it is needed to conserve the area without causing any disturbance to the forest diversity. In 1 ha plot of selected area in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, the standing trees with DBH greater than 5 cm was identified, measured, and calculated. The total of ground biomass that has been obtained from this study was 163.72 t/ha. This above ground biomass was derived from a total of 137 numbers of trees. According to (Brown et al, 1989), the carbon stock value is 50% from the biomass value. The carbon stock estimated from this study was 81.86 t/ha. Table 4.3 shown the total above ground biomass and carbon stock estimated in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. Table 4.3: Total amount of above ground biomass and carbon stock in 1 ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. Total Above Ground Biomass(t/ha). Total Carbon Stock(t/ha). 163.72. 81.86. 27. FYP FSB. 4.3.

(40) Reserve in different DBH classes. DBH Classes. DBH Range (cm). Number of Trees. Above Ground Biomass (t/ha). Carbon Stock (t/ha). Class 1. 5-15. 77. 4.21. 2.10. Class 2. 15 – 25. 34. 9.80. 4.90. Class 3. 25 – 35. 14. 10.10. 5.02. Class 4. 35 – 45. 4. 4.42. 2.21. Class 5. 45 – 55. 1. 3.11. 1.60. Class 6. 55 – 65. 2. 7.53. 3.80. Class 7. > 65. 5. 124.34. 62.20. The biomass in this study was derived from different DBH range of trees. Table 4.4 shows the different classes of DBH range and amount of above ground biomass and carbon stock obtained. From the table 4.4, it showed that the highest value of above ground biomass was obtained in DBH range greater than 65 cm which was 124.34 t/ha. Although only five trees have been found here, the amount of above ground of biomass was the highest due to the presence of tree with large diameter of tree trunk. This specifies that the trees in this classes contributes to the most carbon storage in the study area indicates from the highest carbon stock value which was 62.20 t/ha. Most trees found in sampling area have the DBH range between 5 cm and 15 cm.. 28. FYP FSB. Table 4.4: Total amount of above ground biomass and carbon stock in 1 ha plot of Gunung Basor Forest.

(41) as the trees was in regenerating process, so it have more smaller tree diameter. Figure 4.2 shows the relationship between the above ground biomass and the carbon stock in. Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Stock (t/ha). Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. Above Ground Biomass and Carbon Stock (t/ha) 140000 120000. Above Ground Biomass (t/ha). 100000 80000. Carbon Stock (t/ha). 60000 40000 20000 0 5-15. 15 25. 25 - 35 35 - 45 45 - 55 DBH Range (cm). 55 - 65. > 65. Figure 4.2: Above ground biomass and carbon stock in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. 29. FYP FSB. However, the value of above ground biomass of this DBH class is in intermediate.

(42) Reserve by Norashikin et al. (2016) to estimate the biomass and carbon storage, the study had encompassed at three different altitudes which were lowland dipterocarp forest, highland dipterocarp forest and montane forest. Total aboveground biomasses calculated were 446.25 t/ha, 183.59 t/ha and 3.87 t/ha respectively. As comparison with the previous study by Norashikin et al. (2016), the value of AGB in hill dipterocarp forest in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve has a slight difference. Total AGB estimated in this study was 163.72 t/ha which was slightly lower compared with previous study which was 183.59 t/ha. From this, it can be concluded that the differences value of AGB in the study was due to various factors. Different altitudinal can partly responsible. The altitude for this study area was about 900 to 1100 m above sea level, while the altitude for previous study was 700 m above sea level. It is stated that the higher altitude, the lesser value of biomass and carbon stock as higher altitude bound with fewer vegetation. Besides, the anthropogenic factor also contributed to the rate of biomass. This is because of the accessibility rate. Lowland area was more likely easy to be accessible and this can affect the biomass in that area due to the exposed to anthropogenic disturbance. During the field sampling, construction work had been occurs in the lowland area. Highland area was quite hilly and the accessibility rate was low due to its geographical condition. Lesser anthropogenic disturbance in highland area was expected resulted in high value of biomass and carbon stock. The different densities of vegetation also affect the biomass in forest. It can be state that, less presence of trees and vegetation was occurs in highland. 30. FYP FSB. As a comparison, in the spectrum study conducted in Gunung Basor Forest.

(43) Bangi Forest Reserve, total 362.13 t/ha of AGB was estimated in lowland dipterocarp forest. This huge amount of biomass was contributed by 1018 trees with diameter from 5 cm until 4.90 cm. Another study carried out in Pahang National Park shows total amount of AGB were 354.01 t/ha, 276.13 t/ha and 493.77 t/ha respectively. The study carried out in three different forest types which lowland forest, riparian forest and highland forest. Highland contributes to most AGB due to the area encompassed with highest number of trees from Dipterocarpacea family. Dipterocarp family said to contribute to biomass because of the larger tree diameter. Kato et al. (1978) had use the root biomass value to estimate the below ground biomass (BGB) in two plots in Pasoh Forest Reserve. Respectively, through the methods, total 655.3 t/ha and 465.1 t/ha value of BGB had been estimated. In logged over Air Hitam Forest Reserve, Heng and Tsai (1999) have conducted a study to calculate the AGB in lowland dipterocarp forest. The AGB calculate there was in between 83.69 t/ha to 232.39 t/ha derived from DBH range between 20.6 until 25.8 cm. Table 4.5 shows the previous study on biomass estimation that has been conducted in tropical forest in Malaysia.. 31. FYP FSB. Previously studies in Malaysia were conducted mostly in lowland forest. In.

(44) Location. Forest Types. DBH (cm). Above Ground. Sources. Biomass (ton/ha) Bangi. Hill Dipterocarp. Permanent. Forest. Forest Reserve. Lowland. >5cm. 200.6. (Lajuni & Latiff, 2013). 362.32. Diptrerocarp Forest. Ayer Hitam. Lowland. Forest Reserve. Dipterocarp. >10cm. 837- 232.4. (Heng & Tsai, 1999). Forest Pasoh Forest. Lowland Forest. >5cm. 655.3. (Kato, 1978). 465.1. Reserve Gunung Pulai. Lowland Forest. Gunung Basor. Lowland. Forest Reserve. Dipterocarp. >5cm. 302.6. (Hikmat, 2005). >5cm. 446.25. (Norashikin et. Forest. al., 2016). Hill Dipterocarp. 183.59. Forest Montane Forest. Bubu Forest. Lowland. Reserve. Dipterocarp. 3.87. >10cm. 501.74. (Syafinie and Ahmad, 2015). Forest. 32. FYP FSB. Table 4.5: Previous study on biomass estimation in tropical forest in Malaysia.

(45) CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION. 5.1. Conclusion and Recommendation In this study, the first and second objectives have been achieved, where the value. of aboveground biomass in 1 ha area of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve has been measured and calculated. The amount of above ground biomass in 1 ha area of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve was 163.72 t/ha, while the amount of carbon stock derived from the AGB was 81.86 t/ha. Through this study also indicated that larger tree contributed to the most carbon storage role in biomass produce, carbon storage and energy supply. As a recommendation, through this study also stipulates that the selective management system is success in managing the forest biomass. The estimation from this study suggest that forests can play an important improve the accuracy of the result, all the parameter such as tree species and height should be used in future studies as it will improve the biomass calculation and it will be less systematic error and the result can be more reliable. In the meantime, future study regarding biodiversity should be implemented to produce more significance data in Gunung Basor Forest Reserve.. 33. FYP FSB. CHAPTER 5.

(46) Aboal, J. R., Arévalo, J. R., & Fernández, Á. (2005). Allometric relationships of different tree species and stand above ground biomass in the Gomera laurel forest (Canary Islands). Flora-Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 200(3), 264-274. Alvarez, E., Duque, A., Saldarriaga, J., Cabrera, K., de Las Salas, G., del Valle, I., Rodríguez, L. (2012). Tree above-ground biomass allometries for carbon stocks estimation in the natural forests of Colombia. Forest Ecology and Management, 267, 297-308. Baishya, R., Barik, S. K., & Upadhaya, K. (2009). Distribution pattern of aboveground biomass in natural and plantation forests of humid tropics in northeast India. Tropical Ecology, 50(2), 295. Basuki, T., Van Laake, P., Skidmore, A., & Hussin, Y. (2009). Allometric equations for estimating the above-ground biomass in tropical lowland Dipterocarp forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 257(8), 1684-1694. Bourgeron, P. S. (1983). Spatial aspects of vegetation structure. Ecosystems of the world. Brown, S., & Lugo, A. E. (1982). The storage and production of organic matter in tropical forests and their role in the global carbon cycle. Biotropica, 161-187. Brown, S., & Lugo, A. E. (1984). Biomass of tropical forests: a new estimate based on forest volumes. Science, 223(4642), 1290-1293. Brown, S., Gillespie, A. J., & Lugo, A. E. (1989). Biomass estimation methods for tropical forests with applications to forest inventory data. Forest science, 35(4), 881-902. Chave, J., Réjou‐Méchain, M., Búrquez, A., Chidumayo, E., Colgan, M. S., Delitti, W. B., Goodman, R. C. (2014). Improved allometric models to estimate the aboveground biomass of tropical trees. Global Change Biology, 20(10), 31773190. Chave, J. R., Andalo, C., Brown, S., Cairns, M. A., Chambers, J., Eamus, D., Kira, T. (2005). Tree allometry and improved estimation of carbon stocks and balance in tropical forests. Oecologia, 145(1), 87-99. DeYoung, J. (2016). Forest Measurements: An Applied Approach. Open Oregon Educational Resources. Dixon, R. K., Solomon, A. M., Brown, S., Houghton, R. A., Trexier, M. C., & Wisniewski, J. (1994). Carbon pools and flux of global forest ecosystems. Science, 263(5144), 185-190. Djomo, A. N., Knohl, A., & Gravenhorst, G. (2011). Estimations of total ecosystem carbon pools distribution and carbon biomass current annual increment of a moist tropical forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 261(8), 1448-1459. Eggleston, S., Buendia, L., & Miwa, K. (2006) IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories [recurso electrónico]: waste. Kanagawa, JP: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. 34. FYP FSB. REFERENCES.

(47) 35. FYP FSB. Feldpausch, T. R., Banin, L., Phillips, O. L., Baker, T. R., Lewis, S. L., Quesada, C. A., Bird, M. (2010). Height-diameter allometry of tropical forest trees. Biogeosciences Discussions, 7, 7727-7793. Feldpausch, T. R., Lloyd, J., Lewis, S. L., Brienen, R. J., Gloor, M., Monteagudo Mendoza, A., Affum-Baffoe, K. (2012). Tree height integrated into pantropical forest biomass estimates. Biogeosciences, 3381-3403. Helmisaari, H. S., Makkonen, K., Kellomäki, S., Valtonen, E., and Mälkönen, E. (2002). Below-and above-ground biomass, production and nitrogen use in Scots pine stands in eastern Finland. Forest Ecology and Management, 165(1-3), 317-326. Heng, R. K., & Tsai, L. (1999). An estimate of forest biomass in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve. Pertanika Journal Tropical Agriculture Science, 22(2), 117-123. Hergoualc‘h, K., & Verchot, L. ( 13). Generic allometric models including height best estimate forest biomass and carbon stocks in Indonesia. Forest Ecology and Management, 307, 219-225. Hikmat, A. (2005). Biomass estimation, carbon storage and energy content of three virgin jungle reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. Media Konservasi, 10(2). Kato, R. (1978). Plant biomass and growth of increment studies in Pasoh Forest Rewerve. Malayan Nature Journal, 30, 211-224. Kenzo, T., Ichie, T., Hattori, D., Itioka, T., Handa, C., Ohkubo, T.,& Okamoto, M. (2009). Development of allometric relationships for accurate estimation of above-and below-ground biomass in tropical secondary forests in Sarawak, Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 25(4), 371-386. Ketterings, Q. M., Coe, R., van Noordwijk, M., & Palm, C. A. (2001). Reducing uncertainty in the use of allometric biomass equations for predicting aboveground tree biomass in mixed secondary forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 146(1-3), 199-209. Lajuni, J., & Latiff, A. (2013). Biomass and floristic composition of Bangi Permanent Forest Reserve, a twice-logged lowland dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 42(10), 1517-1521. Larjavaara, M., & Muller‐Landau, H. C. (2013). Measuring tree height: a quantitative comparison of two common field methods in a moist tropical forest. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 4(9), 793-801. Mohd Zaki, N. A., & Abd Latif, Z. (2017). Carbon sinks and tropical forest biomass estimation: a review on role of remote sensing in aboveground-biomass modelling. Geocarto International, 32(7), 701-716. Montagu, K. D., Düttmer, K., Barton, C. V. M., & Cowie, A. L. (2005). Developing general allometric relationships for regional estimates of carbon sequestration— an example using Eucalyptus pilularis from seven contrasting sites. Forest Ecology and Management, 204(1), 115-129. Norashikin. F., Hambali, K., Nawawi, S., Busu, I., & Yew, S. (2016). Biomass and carbon stock estimation along different altitudinal gradients in tropical forest of Gunung Basor, Kelantan, Malaysia. Malayan Nature Journal, 69(1), 57-62..

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(49) Overview of sampling plot in 1 ha area of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve. 37. FYP FSB. APPENDIX A.

(50) Establishment of sampling plot, materials used in study and data collection.. 38. FYP FSB. APPENDIX B.

(51) Types of standing trees found in sampling plot. 39. FYP FSB. APPENDIX C.

(52) Table C.1 below shows the planning of Final Year Projcect I and Final Year Project II Table C.1 : Planning of Final Year Project. Final Year Project I Research Activity. Date. Proposal writing. February 2018. Submission and proposal defence. May 2018. Completion FYP 1. July 2018 Final Year Project II. Field Sampling. July – September 2018. Data Analysis. September – December 2018. Completion of Chapter 4 and 5. December 2018. Submission Final Year Report. December 2018. Presentation o FYP II. December 2018. Hardbound Submission. January 2019. 40. FYP FSB. APPENDIX D.

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