Carbon stock in the community managed Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Dadeldhura district, western Nepal

Abstract

Four community-managed Sal forests in Dadeldhura district of Nepal were selected for the assessment of carbon stock. The stratified random  sampling method was applied to measure the field data from 105 sample plots of 100 m². The carbon stock of trees and shrubs was estimated using Chave allometric equations for moist forests. The study found that the community forests stored carbon stock ranging from 148.5 to 202.3 Mg ha^–1 (mean: 175.5 Mg ha^–1). The community forests managed for a longer duration have higher carbon stock than the community forests managed for
a shorter duration. From the study, it can be concluded that these forests have been acting as a storehouse of the carbon. So, we can infer that community management has had a positive impact on increasing the carbon stock of forests and thus on the mitigation of global climate change. This study contributes to the understanding of the role of community forests in mitigating the effects of global climate change.

Keywords: allometric equation; carbon sequestration; climate change; community forests; forest management duration; stand characteristics