CLIMATES EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CARBON SEQUESTRATION OF CEDRUS DEODARA (ROXB. EX D. DON) IN DRY AND MOIST TEMPERATE OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

The study assessed the carbon stock and soil properties of Cedrus deodara forests in the moist temperate regions of Galiyat and Chitral, Pakistan. For comparison of Cedrus deodara performance in terms of carbon stocking and biomass production in order to determine the severity of climate change in two different climatic conditions i.e. moist and dry temperate regions. The research focused on evaluating the above-ground (AG), below-ground (BG) and total biomass along with carbon stocks of Cedrus deodara and with analyzing soil properties such as bulk density, pH, and soil organic carbon (SOC). Plot-wise data were collected, and mean Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), Tree volume, Growth patterns, development and tree height were measured to estimate biomass and carbon stocks. The results revealed significant variations in biomass and carbon stocks across different experimental units in moist and dry temperate climatic zones. The highest total biomass (362.91 t/ha in Chitral and 350.45 t/ha in Galiyat) recorded at high elevation in mature trees. The lowest biomass values were observed in low elevation stands or those affected by anthropogenic disturbances. Soil analysis indicated that bulk density increased with depth, while SOC decreased, consistent with findings from other temperate forests. The soil pH ranged from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (7.0–8.5), suitable for the growth of Cedrus deodara. The findings shows that Cedrus deodara has a slight better performance in terms of carbon stocking in dry temperate forests as compared to moist temperate forests. The study also finds out that with higher elevations in the same zone Cedrus Deodara shows better performance in terms of carbon stocking and less effectivity by climate change and vice versa, which indicates that climate change is more evident at lower elevations than higher elevations and because of the density of greenhouse gasses (GHG) they are more evident at lower elevations. The study highlights the significant carbon sequestration potential of Cedrus deodara forests and underscores the need for their conservation and sustainable management to mitigate climate change. This study provides a foundation for future research on carbon dynamics and forest management in temperate regions the study also provides foundation for forest managers and policy makers for making of forest working plans and management plans for climate change mitigations and adaptations.