Estimation of Carbon Stocks and Changes and Data Sources

The main goal of carbon inventory projects and programmes is to estimate carbon stocks and changes in those stocks annually or at different times. Chapters 10– 13 described the methods for measuring and monitoring different indicator parameters from which carbon stocks in different carbon pools can be estimated. The next step is to estimate the carbon stocks and changes, using the parameters measured and monitored in the field and in the laboratory. The analysis and calculation of carbon stocks and changes involve conversion of field and laboratory estimates of various parameters from sample plots, such as diameter at breast height (DBH), height and soil organic carbon content, into tonnes of carbon per hectare per year or over several years using different methods and models.