Estimation of biomass and carbon stock variations in vegetation of differently managed Quercus leucotrichophora forests along an elevation gradient in western Himalaya, India

The findings of the study conducted to estimate biomass and carbon stock in differently managed Quercus leucotrichophora forests along the elevation gradient revealed that the biomass and carbon stock parameters of the tree layer showed the precedence of Reserved Forest > Protected Forest > Unclassified Forest > Musterqua Forest. Aboveground biomass and its associated carbon stock of shrubs decreased significantly in the order of Reserved Forest > Musterqua Forest > Protected Forest > Unclassified Forest. Whereas, it's belowground, total biomass and carbon stock decrease as: Reserved Forest > Protected Forest > Musterqua Forest > Unclassified Forest. Aboveground biomass and carbon stock of herbage was recorded as: Reserved Forest > Protected Forest > Unclassified Forest > Musterqua forest. While, belowground biomass, total biomass and its related carbon stock decreased significantly in the order of Reserved Forest > Protected Forest > Musterqua Forest > Unclassified Forest. Along elevation gradient, tree layer had shown significant variation in biomass and carbon stock parameters where it decreased with an increase in elevation but a ziz-zag pattern and non-significance level was recorded for shrubs and herbs layer respectively. Thus, biomass and carbon stock in a forest ecosystem at different layers was influenced greatly by management strategies and elevation.