Altitudinal variation in carbon stocks of Quercus leucotrichophora forests in the Western Himalayas: Implications for climate change mitigation

Forest ecosystems, particularly in mountainous regions, serve as vital carbon sinks, playing a critical role in mitigating climate change. The Western Himalayas, characterized by a diverse range of forest types, are ecologically sensitive and highly vulnerable to environmental changes. As key drivers of ecological variation, altitudinal gradients significantly influence vegetation structure, biomass accumulation, and carbon sequestration potential. Therefore, the present investigation, conducted during 2021-22, aimed to quantify the role of altitude in the biomass production and the variation in carbon stock of Quercus leucotrichophora in the Banj Oak Forest (Subtype 12/C 1a ) along an altitudinal gradient (1200-2100 m) in the Western Himalayas. The study selected three forest ranges of Renuka forest division, namely Shillai, Nohra, and Sangrah, divided into three altitude ranges: E 1 (1200-1500 m), E 2 (1500-1800 m), and E 3 (1800-2100 m). Vegetation biomass, soil organic carbon, and total ecosystem carbon stocks were quantified across three elevation zones of three different forest ranges. The findings of this study showed significant decreases in tree density, basal area, biomass, and carbon stocks with increasing elevation. Total vegetation biomass declined from 625 t ha −1 at E 1 to 444 t ha −1 at E 2 . Soil organic carbon also decreased with elevation, ranging from 80.6 t ha −1 to 37.2 t ha −1 . Total ecosystem carbon density followed a similar trend, decreasing from 392.9 t ha −1 at 1200-1500 m to 259.2 t ha −1 at 1800-2100 m. The study highlights the critical importance of elevation in shaping forest carbon pools and provides baseline data for sustainable management. Specifically, it emphasizes the need to prioritize carbon conservation and management at lower altitudes, which were identified as significant carbon sinks.