Biomass Production and Carbon Storage Potential of Selected Old-Growth Temperate Forests in Garhwal Himalaya, India

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Abstract

Fifteen old-growth temperate forest types were assessed for biomass productivity and carbon (C) storage potential by laying out sample plots randomly in each forest type along with an altitudinal transect in Garhwal Himalaya. The average total carbon density values ranged between 96.53 ± 4.92 Mg C ha−1 (moist mixed-deciduous forest) to 307.11 ± 11.28 Mg C ha−1 (Cedrus deodara forest). It was observed that conifer-dominated forest types had higher average biomass and C stocks as 479.01 Mg ha−1 and 220.34 Mg C ha−1 respectively. In broadleaf dominated forest types, these values were 394.08 Mg ha−1 and 177 Mg C ha−1 respectively. The study suggests that owing to their long rotation periods the growth of conifers should be encouraged particularly in the inaccessible areas of higher Himalaya and old-growth forests should be protected as they continue to sequester C.

Keywords

Growing stock Biomass density Old-growth forests Total carbon density Elevation 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

One of the authors (CMS) is thankful to Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, for providing the financial support vide Project No. SERB/SR/SO/PS/14/2010. The valuable suggestions made by anonymous referees are gratefully acknowledged.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of interest

The authors also declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Copyright information

© The National Academy of Sciences, India 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of BotanyHNB Garhwal UniversitySrinagar GarhwalIndia

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