Indonesian Research Aims to Quantify Carbon Storage in Teak Plantations
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A collaborative research effort is underway in North Banyuwangi, Indonesia, to precisely measure carbon flow and carbon storage within teak plantations, potentially bolstering national climate change mitigation policies. The study, launched on August 28, 2025, unites Perhutani, the state-owned forestry company, with the Perhutani Forestry Institute (PEFI) and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Boosting National Carbon Data
The research focuses on plots 21 F2 within the Forest Records (RPH) area of North Banyuwangi. Researchers are meticulously analyzing the dynamics of carbon within these plantations, aiming to refine instruments used to assess teak plant biomass and understand the impact of varying climate conditions. According to a senior official involved in the project, “We are ready to support and ensure research on the dynamics and carbon flow of teak plantations runs smoothly. We hope the results can become useful innovations for various groups.”
Comprehensive Data Collection Methods
The data collection process is exceptionally thorough, encompassing a detailed examination of all tree components. Researchers are weighing stems, branches, and twigs, and even collecting root samples from trees representing a range of diameters within the logging area. The study also considers four key carbon pools at the stand level: vegetation – including both teak and undergrowth – litter, nekromasa (dead organic matter), and soil organic matter.
Furthermore, the research team is establishing plots across different age classes of teak trees, utilizing seeds from both standard production and Perhutani’s enhanced “teak plus” varieties. .
Implications for Climate Policy
BRIN researcher Ogi Setiawan emphasized the broader significance of the findings. “The data we get is not only important for the management of Perhutani Forest, but can also support climate change mitigation policies at the national level,” Setiawan stated. The project’s ultimate goal is to strengthen Indonesia’s national database on carbon sequestration, providing crucial information for informed environmental policymaking.
The collaborative effort represents a significant step toward quantifying the role of sustainably managed teak plantations in combating climate change and underscores Indonesia’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
