Carbon Dynamics in Community-managed Forests across Altitudinal Gradient in Central Himalaya, India

The present study investigates the variation in carbon stock distribution across different carbon pools along elevational gradients in community-managed forests (Van Panchayats) of the Kumaun Central Himalaya. The forests were categorized into three altitudinal zones: low, mid, and high-elevation sites. Among the various pools, tree biomass carbon accounted for more than 80 percent of the total carbon stock, highlighting its dominant role in carbon sequestration. Soil organic carbon contributed between 14.06 and 17.58 percent, whereas forest floor carbon contributed between 1.19 and 1.81 percent to the total carbon pool. The herb layer biomass carbon showed the least contribution. The strong positive correlation was observed between tree and shrub carbon stocks and elevation (R² > 0.84), suggesting an elevation-driven pattern in above-ground carbon accumulation. The overall total carbon stock ranged from 169.51 to 185.62 Mg C ha^-1 This study emphasizes the necessity of adopting site-specific conservation and management practices to sustain and enhance the carbon stock potential of these forests across elevational gradients.