Impact of Carbon Stocks ofAnogeissus latifoliaon Climate Change and Socioeconomic Development: a Case Study of Garhwal Himalaya, India

The carbon stored as soil organic carbon (SOC) and tree biomass is typically the highest carbon pool of the forest and is impacted by degradation and deforestation. The impact of "C" stocks on climate change at different altitudes can have vital implications for the conservation and management of "C" sinks. This study was undertaken in subtropical belt of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India, to understand the carbon-storing potential ofAnogeissus latifoliatree and its soil properties in three altitudes, i.e., lower (LA: 790-824 m), middle (MA: 825-960 m), and upper (UA: 1168-1212 m), which provide fuel, fodder, and small timber for life support purposes. Results of the study suggested that soil moisture and pH increase with increasing depth and altitude, whereas SOC and soil nitrogen show reverse patterns. Moreover, bulk density (BD) does not follow any trend (i.e., BD increases with soil depth and altitude until 960 m and further decreases with an increase in altitude). Tree density, biomass, and carbon stock reported highest in MA compared with UA and LA because of dense forest and greater tree diameter. Looking into the soil carbon stock, nitrogen, C/N ratio (C/N: < 10), and climatic drivers supportive to microbial degradation, it is concluded thatA. latifoliaforest has played an important role in carbon reduction and mitigating climate change at regional and global levels. The study will help environmentalists, foresters, and policy-makers to stimulate the combined effect of degradation of forest species on climate change and socioeconomic development at regional and global scale.