Here’s a comprehensive, course-ready module for your Sustainable Agarwood Plantation Management & Carbon Farming Course, training manuals, and Oud Academia / CI-ASASE programs, covering carbon sequestration in agarwood plantations.
Carbon Sequestration in Agarwood (Aquilaria spp.)
Biomass, Soil, Roots, and Deadwood Contributions
1. Introduction
Agarwood plantations are high-value timber and resin crops that also serve as carbon sinks. Carbon sequestration occurs through:
- Aboveground biomass (trunks, branches, leaves)
- Belowground biomass (roots)
- Soil organic carbon (SOC)
- Deadwood / litter (fallen branches, pruned material, leaves)
Integrating resin production with carbon farming supports ESG goals, carbon credits, and sustainable agroforestry practices.
2. Aboveground Biomass (Trunks, Branches, Leaves)
- Primary carbon pool
- Growth rate influenced by:
- Tree age
- Fertility and irrigation management
- Spacing and canopy management
- Resin contributes indirectly:
- Heavier resin density increases wood mass
- Enhances long-term carbon storage in heartwood
Estimates:
- Mature Aquilaria tree (~10–15 yrs) stores ~50–150 kg C per tree in aboveground biomass depending on species and resin content
3. Belowground Biomass (Roots)
- Roots account for 10–30% of total biomass
- Carbon stored in roots contributes to:
- Soil stabilization
- Organic matter input via root turnover
- Symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi, enhancing soil carbon
- Deep-rooted trees improve long-term carbon retention in subsoil layers
4. Soil Carbon Sequestration
- Soil organic carbon (SOC) increases via:
- Leaf litter
- Pruned branches and mulch
- Root exudates
- Management practices enhancing SOC:
- Organic amendments (compost, vermicast)
- Mulching with pruning residues
- Avoiding soil compaction and erosion
- SOC contributes long-term carbon storage, often exceeding aboveground biomass in older plantations
5. Deadwood and Litter
- Fallen branches, leaves, and pruned material form detritus layer
- Slowly decomposes → adds to SOC and microbial biomass
- Mulched deadwood → accelerates carbon cycling and soil fertility
- Provides habitat for beneficial fungi and microbes → supports resin formation and soil health
6. Resin Contribution to Carbon
- Resin itself contains carbon-rich compounds
- Induced resin accumulation increases heartwood density → higher carbon storage per unit volume
- High-resin trees sequester more carbon than non-resin-producing trees
7. Factors Affecting Carbon Sequestration
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Tree age & size | Older, taller trees = higher biomass & carbon storage |
| Fertility & irrigation | Healthy, well-fertilized trees grow faster → more biomass |
| Agroforestry & intercropping | Nitrogen-fixing species improve soil fertility → higher SOC |
| Pruning & mulching | Returns carbon to soil; increases microbial activity |
| Resin induction | Denser heartwood → more carbon per tree |
8. Integration with Carbon Farming & ESG
- Plantation design → spacing, density, and age structure optimize carbon storage
- Organic management → enhances soil carbon and reduces GHG emissions
- Resin induction protocols → add carbon value to high-density wood
- Record-keeping → biomass, resin yield, soil carbon → supports carbon credits and ESG reporting
9. Practical Carbon Estimation (Illustrative)
| Tree Age | Aboveground C (kg/tree) | Belowground C (kg/tree) | Soil C Contribution (kg/tree) | Total C (kg/tree) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 30–50 | 10–15 | 15–20 | 55–85 |
| 10 years | 50–100 | 15–30 | 25–40 | 90–170 |
| 15 years | 100–150 | 30–45 | 40–60 | 170–255 |
Actual values depend on species, soil type, fertility, resin content, and plantation management.
10. Key Takeaways
- Agarwood plantations are multi-dimensional carbon sinks: biomass, roots, resin, and soil
- Resin-rich trees store more carbon than low-resin trees
- Organic management, mulching, pruning, and agroforestry practices enhance both yield and carbon sequestration
- Proper monitoring and documentation support carbon credits, ESG reporting, and sustainable investment
Optional Next Deliverables
- 🌱 Carbon sequestration calculation SOP for agarwood plantations
- 📊 Illustrative lifecycle chart: tree growth → resin induction → carbon storage
- 🧾 Monitoring logbook template: biomass, soil, resin, deadwood
- 📘 Farmer-friendly infographic: carbon sequestration pathways in agarwood
I can prepare a visual carbon sequestration infographic + logbook template next, showing biomass, roots, soil, and resin contributions, tailored for Oud Academia / CI-ASASE plantations.
Do you want me to create that?