Biomass stock and carbon accumulation potential of Quercus lanata Sm. dominated forest in the central Himalayan region

Forests play a vital role in global carbon cycles by storing large amounts of biomass and serving as major carbon sinks. This study quantified tree biomass, carbon stock, productivity and carbon sequestration potential across three Quercus lanata (Syn. Quercus lanuginosa) dominated forest sites in the Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand, of which two are located in Nainital and one in Pithoragarh districts, at elevations ranging from 1950 to 2200 m. Across all the sites, total tree density varied between 590 and 1115 individuals ha-¹. The tree biomass was estimated by measuring the circumference of trees at breast height. Biomass was estimated using non-destructive allometric equations and carbon stock and sequestration rates were calculated. Across all 3 sites, the tree biomass ranged between 298.49 t ha-¹ and 441.79 t ha-¹ and the carbon stock varied between 141.78 t C ha-¹ and 209.85 t C ha-¹. Forest productivity ranged between 5.39 t ha-¹ yr-1 and 12.34 t ha-¹ yr-1, while carbon sequestration ranged from 2.56 to 5.86 t C ha-¹yr-¹. Quercus lanata was the dominant species at all sites, contributing the largest share in total tree biomass and carbon. The findings emphasise the important role of Q. lanata forests in carbon storage and climate change mitigation. This study provides key baseline data to support strategies aimed at increasing carbon sequestration and maintaining forest ecosystem functions in Himalayan temperate forests.