Ecosystem carbon storage, allocationsand carbon credit values of major forest types in the central Himalaya

Abstract

The Himalayan forests are a crucial global carbon reservoir contributing significantly to carbon mitigation efforts. Although situated within a singular climatic zone, Himalayan forests display diverse forest types within a short distance due to variations in altitudes, mountain ranges, slopes, and aspects. This study aimed to estimate ecosystem carbon storage (comprising plant biomass, deadwood, litter, and soil organic carbon (SOC), allocation, evaluate carbon sequestration and carbon credit potential in chir-pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.), deodar (Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G.Don), oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus), and sal (Shorea robusta (Roth) forests in the central Himalaya. Volumetric equations were utilised across diverse tree species and supplemented by field sampling, particularly employing the quadrat method to quantify tree biomass. The carbon stocks within ecosystems varied considerably, ranging between 122.44 and 306.44 Mg C ha^-1, with discernible differences among forest types, with oak forests exhibiting the highest carbon stock, followed by deodar and sal forests, and pine forests showing the lowest. The allocation of ecosystem carbon stocks among different components, including tree (21–34%), soil (64–77%), deadwood (0.9–0.35%), and litter (0.46–1.20%), demonstrated significant variability. The Mantel test revealed the significant influence of environmental factors on carbon storage. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestration ranged from 448.98 (pine forest) to 1123.16 (oak forest) Mg CO₂ ha⁻¹, while carbon credit values ranged from 1346.96 EUR ha^-1 (pine forests) to 3379.49 EUR ha^-1 (oak forest). In the study, dominant trees in various forest types contribute to higher carbon storage in their biomass and forest soil, resulting in greater carbon credits. Present research evaluates the ecosystem carbon storage, CO₂ sequestration potential, and carbon credit valuation for major forests in the central Himalaya. By incorporating these findings into forest management plans and strategies, the carbon sequestration potential and carbon trading of the central Himalayan forest ecosystem in India can be enhanced.