ABSTRACT
Biomass stock or carbon accumulation rate in any tree depends on the growth rate of the tree, which is limited by various factors. The conversion of forests with high biodiversity value to rubber plantations and expansion into marginal areas creates further opportunities for biodiversity loss and disruption of nutrient cycles following clear-felling. Various destructive and non-destructive methods have been recommended for biomass estimation. Total biomass soil carbon (C) densities, as well as C, in the aboveground and belowground compartments were estimated. Although mature rubber plantations stock substantial amounts of biomass C they are prone to degradation with the existing clear-felling management system. Information is scanty on the long-term effect of clear-felling rubber on the soil C cycle and loss of soil C stocks. Total biomass was obtained by adding all the calculated parts of the respective tree, that is, as the sum of aboveground biomass and belowground biomass.
