Estimation of Natural Carbon Sequestration in Eastern Thailand: Preliminary Results

We estimated carbon sequestration in Pará rubber tree plantations using a remote sensing approach and then compared the results to known figures for carbon sequestration resulting from soil-water interaction. The preliminary zone investigated is in Wangchun, eastern Thailand, and covers about 20 km2.Carbon sequestrated during soil-water interaction was estimated using a hydrological model taking into account variations in alkalinity and topography. We found that soil-water interaction resulted in the sequestration of 0.04 tons C/km2/year. The amount of naturally stored carbon in the Pará rubber plantation using THAICHOTE satellite imagery and specific biomass equations, was found to be 645 tons C/km2/year.The magnitude of these preliminary results suggests that the flux of carbon storage in Pará rubber plantations could play a substantial role in the global carbon cycle.