Journals Information
Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 13(4), pp. 566 - 575
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130409
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Impacts of Disturbance and Elevation on Carbon Stock and Biomass of Plus Trees in Tropical Forests of Biliran Island, Philippines
Ruffy Rodrigo *, Randy Villarin , Jay Mark Rosallosa
Department of Forest Science, Biliran Province State University, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Forests play a critical role in carbon sequestration, but various environmental and anthropogenic factors influence their capacity to store carbon. This study assesses the Aboveground Biomass (AGB) and carbon stock of Individual Plus Trees (IPT) across different disturbance and elevation gradients in Villa Consuelo, Biliran Island, Philippines. A systematic field survey was conducted to measure tree diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, and biomass, with calculations based on the allometric equation. The influence of disturbance and elevation on AGB and carbon stock was analyzed using statistical regression models. The findings indicate that forests in less disturbed and higher elevation areas exhibit significantly greater AGB and carbon stock than those in severely disturbed and lower elevation areas. Severe disturbances, such as logging and land conversion, resulted in a substantial reduction in biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration capacity. Conversely, higher elevations support larger trees and greater biomass due to reduced human intervention and more favorable climatic conditions. Regression analysis confirmed a significant negative relationship between disturbance and AGB (p < 0.001), while the relationship between elevation and AGB was positive but not statistically significant (p = 0.066). These results emphasize the importance of conservation policies and sustainable forest management to protect undisturbed and high-altitude forests, which serve as vital carbon sinks. Efforts such as reforestation, strict regulation of land-use changes, and community-based forest management can enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems. This study contributes essential insights into carbon storage dynamics, supporting climate change mitigation strategies and biodiversity conservation in tropical forests.
KEYWORDS
Carbon Stock, AGB, Disturbance Gradient, Elevation, Tropical Forest
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Ruffy Rodrigo , Randy Villarin , Jay Mark Rosallosa , "Impacts of Disturbance and Elevation on Carbon Stock and Biomass of Plus Trees in Tropical Forests of Biliran Island, Philippines," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 566 - 575, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130409.
(b). APA Format:
Ruffy Rodrigo , Randy Villarin , Jay Mark Rosallosa (2025). Impacts of Disturbance and Elevation on Carbon Stock and Biomass of Plus Trees in Tropical Forests of Biliran Island, Philippines. Environment and Ecology Research, 13(4), 566 - 575. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2025.130409.