TOTAL AMOUNT OF CARBON DIOXIDE SEQUESTRATION OF TREES IN PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY (MANILA)

ABSTRACT Carbon dioxide sequestration is the ability of plants to store carbon, from carbon dioxide gas—which is an abundant greenhouse gas, for a long term period. Interests in the quantification of the stored carbon in different areas are increasing due to the growing concerns regarding the possibility of enhancing the efficiency of carbon dioxide sequestration in an area. The calculation of the total amount of carbon dioxide sequestration of trees in the campus of Philippine Normal University-Manila was conducted to quantify their capability to store carbon dioxide. The sampling area was profiled based on the types of soil and the density of trees per species. Trees included in this study were grouped and classified. Individually, trees were measured of their vertical height and diameter breast height. Using the formula; , we had calculated the total carbon dioxide sequestered by the trees in the university. The overall summation of the carbon dioxide sequestered in PNU was 12,740,516.95 lbs. Swietenia spp. trees, which are abundant in the university, were not very efficient in sequestering carbon dioxide in comparison to other trees. We also found out that tree species with the highest carbon dioxide sequestration is Gmelina arborea while the individual tree with the highest carbon dioxide sequestration is a Ficus stipulosa . This study might be able to give an idea to the management in choosing the trees to plant based on its efficiency in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.