Paper Details

Abstract

This study was carried out in three different stands of cork oak trees in the Tabarka region in the northwest of Tunisia. The study had two main objectives: to present the current diameter structure and to determine the total carbon stock in the different cork oak ecosystems (pure and mixed with zeen oak and maritime pine). Particularly, we sought to determine the distribution of the density of diameter classes, as well as the composition of aboveground and underground biomass. To achieve these objectives, we conducted an investigation into the cork oak biomass of the study area for each stand, employing direct estimates based on allometric equations across 75 sampling plots. Our analysis revealed notable differences in the density of diameter classes between the three stands. The total biomass was estimated at 188.46 Mg ha-1 (pure cork oak), 449.80 Mg ha-1 (mixed with zeen oak), and 83.83 Mg ha-1 (mixed with maritime pine). Consequently, the carbon stock values vary according to the stand type, with the following figures: 88.57 tC ha-1 (pure cork oak), 217.59 tC ha-1 (mixed with zeen oak), and 39.39 tC ha-1 (mixed with maritime pine). This study offers valuable insights into the dynamics of the pure or mixed cork oak ecosystem in Tunisia and carbon sequestration, which will be of interest to those involved in this field. To guarantee the long-term sustainability of this site, it is vital to optimize the potential of this ecosystem to minimize degradation and establish it as a dependable source of carbon sequestration.

To Cite This Article