Organic carbon contents of three tree species in different spacing

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the content of organic carbon in plant parts (leaves, wood, twigs and bark) of forest species Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis Hill and Mimosa scabrella Benth, under different spacing between trees (2.0 m x 1.0 m, 2.0 m x 1.5 m, 3.0x1.0 m and 3.0 m x 1.5 m), one year after planting. It was also aimed to verify if the conversion factor of 50% can be applied. To determine the organic carbon it was used a carbon analyzer(C-144). The carbon content varied depending on the species, spacing and the part of the plant component used. It was observed that the factors: species, spacing, and parts of the plant are not independent. So, the carbon content measurements should be determined for each species and for each biomass component. The 50% conversion factor is not appropriate due to under or overestimate the carbon content.