Carbon storage in sacred groves of Uttar Dinajpur: implications for climate change mitigation and conservation strategies

The present research work demonstrates the results of assessing the carbon sequestration potential of tree species and soil organic carbon content in twenty selected sacred groves of Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, India. The study revealed a diverse range of tree species, with Moraceae and Fabaceae families being the most dominant. The stem density, basal area, carbon stock, and soil organic carbon varied significantly among the groves, reflecting differences in forest structure and ecological conditions. The estimated total tree biomass carbon was 425.7 Mg, with Bambusa tulda Roxb. and Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. contributing successively to the carbon stocks. The carbon stock ranged between 23.53 Mg C ha-1 and 198.49 Mg C ha-1. The CO2 equivalents ranged between 86.73 Mg CO2 ha- 1 and 720.10 Mg CO2 ha- 1. The topsoil (0-15 cm) and subsoil (15-30 cm) layers had soil organic carbon contents that varied from 1.22 to 3.22% and 0.86-2.67%, respectively. Tree basal area, total biomass, carbon stocks, CO2 mitigation capacity, and soil organic carbon were shown to be positively correlated. These outcomes highlight the key role of sacred groves in carbon sequestration and soil carbon preservation, making them critical for climate change mitigation and ecological conservation efforts.