Disparity in phytosociology, biomass and carbon stock of trees in primary and secondary temperate broadleaf forest of Indian Himalayas

Estimation of carbon stocks in tree biomass is necessary to study climate change under UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. To understand diversity, community characteristics, biomass and carbon stock of trees in Indian Himalayas, two forests - primary (PF) and secondary (SF) temperate broadleaf forest were investigated in Arunachal Pradesh. Extensive field study was undertaken and 15 quadrats (20x20 m²) each in the two study sites were laid randomly for the study. A total of 33 species of trees belonging to 26 genera and 17 families were recorded from the study sites. 26 species, 21 genera and 15 families were recorded from PF while 27 species, 20 genera and 13 families were recorded from SF. The study revealed higher biomass and higher Carbon stocks with good species richness, higher density and basal area in SF than PF. Forest clearing during Jhum may not be considered as deforestation but forest modification allowing forest regrowth during sufficient long fellow. It can be concluded that integration of indigenous knowledge can lead to the development of cost-effective, participatory and sustainable way to conserve biodiversity, to increase long term C sequestration in plants and to mitigate climate change.