Estimation of Above-Ground Biomass and Sequestered Carbon at Two Elevations in A Tropical Forest in Tingo María, Peru

Climate change is a major ecological issue worldwide, and understanding its impacts requires analyzing above-ground biomass and sequestered carbon in tropical forests, as well as their role in climate change mitigation. The study aimed to quantify above-ground biomass and sequestered carbon in two developmental categories (stem trees and mature trees) and at two elevations (lower hill and upper hill) in a tropical forest in the central Peruvian Amazon, using species diversity, tree density, wood density, and forest structure. The study was conducted in two permanent measurement plots at different elevations. Data were collected using the Field Map Data Collector program on a laptop computer. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and total tree height were measured for individuals classified into two developmental categories: “stem trees” and “mature trees.” Higher values of species diversity (3.9), uniform angle index (0.88), and dominance index (0.43) were recorded at the lowest elevation (low hill). In contrast, the highest elevation (high hill) had higher values for crown diameter (9.7), crown volume (518.2), species mixture index (0.93), average above-ground biomass (3.21), and total above-ground biomass (234.02), as well as average carbon sequestration (1.6) and total carbon sequestration (117.01). In conclusion, the study found that altitude, developmental category, species diversity, and tree density significantly influence the amount of carbon sequestered.