Herianto, Zaenal Kusuma, Ellis Nihayati and Cahyo Prayogo
Abstract
Timber harvesting in natural forests greatly affects the carbon stock potential in the forests. The effects can lead to carbon stock reduction, resulting in decomposition and potential carbon emissions. This study aims to estimate carbon potential in residual stand areas, Central Kalimantan. The results showed that the biomass reserve potential in 2005, 2010, and 2015 stand areas tended to vary, with the 2015 stand area had the highest biomass reserve potential (337.61 tons/ha) compared to 2005 stands (337.08 tons/ha), 2010 stands (285.63 tons/ha), Tumbang Kania Village stands (286.77 tons/ha) and Tumbang Payang Village stands (219.23 tons/ha). The average tree-level biomass reserves in all sites had the highest number compared to pole-, stake-, and seedling- or undergrowth-level. The highest carbon stock potential was in 2015 stands (337.61 ton C/ha) compared to 2005 stands (285.63 ton C/ha), 2010 stands (285.63 ton C/ha), Tumbang Kania Village stands (286.77 ton C/ha), and Tumbang Payang Village stands (219.23 ton C/ha). Carbon stock potential in all research sites based on constituent components showed that tree-level stands contributed greatly than pole-, stake-, and seedling-level stands. However, the existing stands should be maintained to avoid deforestation and forest degradation. The data confirmed that the secondary forests in the residual stand areas were able to contribute higher carbon stocks because of a high number of large protected trees.