Yemane a good carbon dioxide absorbent

Looking for a free species that can efficiently absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere?

One such species is yemane, scientifically named Gmelina arborea.

Yemane, now popularly called Gmelina, has been found to be effective in sequestering carbon dioxide. It stores the CO2 that it absorbs in its roots, trunks, branches, and foliage through the scientific process of photosynthesis.

Attesting to this is a study done by Dr. Leuvina Micosa-Tandug, chief science research specialist of the Los Baños-based Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB).

Dr. Tandug’s study, titled "Biomass and Carbon Sequestration of Gmelina arborea Roxb," won the second prize in the Best Paper Award (Research category) given at the 2006 National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD) last Nov. 27.

NSARRD, which recognized the country’s outstanding R&D studies in agriculture and resources, is held annually under the auspices of the Los Baños-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

Dubbed as "furniture tree" and a multi-purpose species, yemane is one of the important fast-growing treed species commonly used in the establishment of forest plantations, reforestation, and agroforestry areas in the country.

Tandug’s study sought to provide valuable inputs to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which is an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN-FCCC).

Under the protocol, industrialized countries have committed to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide, sulfure hexafluoride) or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or increase emissions of these gases.

Emission trading means that developed countries can meet part of their target for reducing CO2 emissions to 1990 levels within a period of five years from 2008 to 2012 by purchasing emission reduction credit from developing countries like the Philippines in the form of planted forests.

The DENR-ERDB study sought to use this carbon investments and carbon trading opportunities inasmuch as the country has vast tracts of open land for the establishment of tree plantations such as yemane.

Moreover, the biomass information on the whole tree and component parts of yemane are important to plantation managers, policymakers, researchers, and other end-users for various purposes.

Tandug said that several studies have been done to assess and quantify the carbon stocks of various ecosystems, including tree plantations and agroforestry systems in the Philippines, but most of these researches simply relied on assumptions and estimates on the carbon sequestration potential of the various forest stands.

Her study used a random sample of 50 trees selected from two to 12-year old plantations of yemane in seven provinces in Central Luzon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas representing all climatic conditions.

The study showed that the amounts of carbon were significantly different among the tree’s component parts.

Stem wood had the highest percent of carbon, followed by the foliage and branches. Bark from the stem had the smallest amount of carbon.

The results of the study are expected to provide valuable inputs for forestation (afforestation and reforestation) projects that would like to avail themselves of the carbon trading facility under the Kyoto Protocol. – Rudy A. Fernandez