FOREST CHARACTERISTICS AND SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION OF THE KLONGKLON MANGROVE FOREST, SAMUT SONGKHRAM PROVINCE

Abstract

This research investigated forest characteristics, uses of forested land and soil carbon sequestration of the KlongKlon Mangrove Forest, Muang district, Samut Songkhram province, Thailand. Field observation was conducted along with random soil sampling in   rainy season and summer. A total of 117 soil sampling points (54 points for rainy season and      63 points for summer) were collected at 0 - 15 cm and 15 - 30 cm depth. Soil carbon sequestration was evaluated by soil organic carbon, bulk density and soil depth. The results showed that the study area could be divided into three zones i.e. natural mangrove forest, replanted forest during 1992 - 2004 and replanted forest during 2004 to present. There was no statistically significant differences between average soil carbon sequestration found in three zones, at the confidence level of 95%. No statistically significant differences of average soil carbon sequestration found in terms of season and depth neither. Average soil carbon sequestration found in topsoil of three zones in rainy season were 5.58 ± 0.42, 6.22 ± 0.53 and 5.91 ± 0.50 ton/hectare, respectively while in summer, average amount found in order were 6.02 ± 0.44, 6.27 ± 0.54 and 5.60 ± 0.38 ton/hectare. For subsoil, average soil carbon sequestration found were 7.40 ± 0.73, 6.87 ± 0.42 and 5.76 ± 0.55 ton/hectare in rainy season and 5.25 ± 0.25, 6.01 ± 0.41 and 5.14 ± 0.28 ton/hectare in summer. Findings can further be used to support decision making in order to achieve appropriate eco-tourism along with natural and environmental conservation activities in the area.