Aboveground Biomass Estimation of Canarem Lake Bird Sanctuary in the Municipality of Victoria, Tarlac, Philippines

Abstract

The Canarem Lake Bird Sanctuary in Victoria, Tarlac, is a 116-hectare wetland that serves as a critical refuge for endemic, resident, and migratory avian species throughout the year. Aside from providing shelter, its trees and other vegetation store carbon within their biomass. However, human activities such as land conversion and development may have a negative impact on this bird sanctuary. This study estimated the aboveground biomass (AGB) of the sanctuary using a combination of field inventory and allometric equations to provide a baseline for responsive conservation policies and management strategies. The tree inventory identified 478 individual trees across 14 species and seven families, with the exotic/naturalized species Leucaena leucocephala and Samanea saman exhibiting the highest frequencies. Oryza sativa L. was the only crop planted while the bamboo stands consisted of Bambusa vulgaris and Bambusa blumeana. Total AGB was estimated at 687.19 to 1,263.2 tonnes, corresponding to approximately 5.90 to 10.89 tonnes/hectare. The findings reveal a landscape where the majority of the AGB (584.65 tonnes) is maintained by naturalized tree species, while the tree size distribution indicates a relatively young to mid-aged stand. Annual crops (576.01 tonnes) and bamboo (102.54 tonnes) account for smaller, seasonal shares of the total pool. Ultimately, these results highlight the Canarem Lake Bird Sanctuary’s critical role as a vegetated wildlife habitat. Implementing management strategies to promote native biodiversity and climate change mitigation will support long-term ecosystem and community resilience.