Growth, Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Broad Leaf Forest in North-West Himalayas

Background: Quantifying the growth patterns, biomass production and carbon storage capability of different forest types has gained more attention in recent decades due to the global focus on climate change and carbon budgeting. Depending on their condition, age, species makeup and management techniques, forests can be both generators and sinks of carbon. Significant carbon reservoirs can be found in the North-Western Himalayan broadleaf forests, which are frequently distinguished by their multi-layered canopies and abundant understory vegetation. Methods: The current investigation was carried out in the broad leaf forest of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh from 2020-21 to 2021-22. The study region belongs to subtropical to sub temperate climatic zone. The identified research area was split into five replicates of 10 × 10 m each. All of the trees in each replication were chosen and counted. A total of 41 trees from the broad leaf forest were chosen and the tree species included. Bauhinia variegata, Grewia optiva, Pinus roxburghii, Toona ciliata and Quercus leucotricophora. Tree biomass and growth at the study site were counted. The following growth metrics were measured: total tree height, crown length, crown spread, crown index and Dbh. Volume equations were used to estimate biomass. Growth and biomass metrics were averaged (Mean+S.E.). Result: Present study provided the information about growth of broad leaf forest, its biomass and capacity to sequester carbon in the mid-hill Himalayas. With a height of 18.33 metres, Pinus roxburghii dominated the forest tree stand while- Bauhinia variegata had height and crown spread of 5.06 m and 0.57 m, respectively. The calculated total biomass of broad leaf forest was 407.48 Mg/ha/year, that might have contributed to the total carbon stock of 183.36 Mg/ha/year. Carbon was sequestered by broad leaf forest at a rate of 672.95 Mg/ha/year. The findings indicated that excellent management methods are necessary for such forests to have improved soil and carbon-storing capacity.