In an effort to expand the country’s quantification of ecosystem-level carbon fluxes and better manage our forest resources, the Eddy Covariance (EC) system was installed in a multi-species tree plantation in Brgy. Sumilihon, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. This is part of the objectives of the 2nd year implementation of the project, “Real-Time Carbon Flux Monitoring in Natural, Plantation, and Mangrove Forests in Mindanao, Philippines: An Eddy Covariance Approach (Philflux),” being implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB) and funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
This follows the successful first year deployment of the first forest-based EC system in the protected area of Del Carmen Mangrove Forest, which marked a significant milestone in the national research capacity for climate and ecosystem monitoring. The project results confirm the capacity of mangrove forests as a carbon sink and further highlights the importance of protecting mangrove areas in sequestering carbon and climate change mitigation.
In its second year of implementation, the 21-meter EC system now measures the carbon fluxes in the vicinity of JAKA Equities Corporation plantation. Among the species planted and harvested include falcata, cadamba, yemane, and acacia. Native species are also planted such as antipolo, bagras, batino, dita, and narra. Components of the EC system installed include: Integrated CO2 and H2O Open Path Gas Analyzer with 3D Sonic Anemometer (IRGASON), Net Radiometer for measuring energy balance and surface flux, full spectrum quantum photosynthetically active radiation sensor, and air temperature and relative humidity sensor.
The project will look into the carbon fluxes vis-a-vis the harvesting practices, climate dynamics, and environmental parameters in the site. For comparison purposes, conventional methods in carbon accounting were also done such as measuring above and below ground biomass, and collection of soil and litter samples.
By next year, the EC system tower is planned to be transferred to a natural terrestrial forest in Bislig, Surigao del Sur for another year of data collection and monitoring. The baseline data that will be generated from all of these sites will serve as reference points in any carbon-related inventories and monitoring initiatives as well as in future ventures into carbon markets.