Variability Assessment for Volume, Biomass and Carbon Stock in Cedrus deodara (Roxb) G.Don. Forests of Garhwal Himalaya

Deodar is typically gregarious and is usually found in pure stands. It is one of the most important timber species in the forests of North Indian Himalayas. The objective of the present study was the assessment of variation in volume and biomass along with the carbon holding capacity of different deodar forests. The present study was undertaken in ten different forests sites, assessed by laying out three 0.1 ha sample plots randomly on each location. Total enumeration of trees within the sample plot was done by measuring girth and height of all the trees. Further, data collected from stand were computed for dbh, basal area, volume, stand density and canopy cover. The above ground biomass densities (AGBD), below ground biomass density (BGBD), total biomass density (TBD), total carbon density (TCD) were examined for variation of biomass and carbon stock. The results derived from field data during the study revealed that the values range from 42.10 to 57.07 cm (diameter at breast height), 1.37 to 2.84 m2 trees-1 (basal area), 19.68 to 37.64 m (height), 1.44 m3 tree-1 to 4.27 m3 tree-1 (volume), 227 to 407 individual ha-1 (stand density) and 57.91% to 80.60% (canopy cover) respectively. The values of AGBD (428.57 to 1279.51 Mg ha-1), BGBD (97.41 to 256.14 Mg ha-1), TBD (525.98 to 1535.65 Mg ha-1), and TCD (767.83 to 262.99 Mg ha-1) were recorded in different study sites and highest values was observed in Kanasar-I site. On the basis of above results it can be concluded that the healthy stand growth means presence of trees in all diameter classes. The Kanasar-I has more prominent capacity to storage biomass and carbon stock. Deodar being a slow growing conifer will provide a long term and high carbon storage than broadleaf species forest. Therefore, protecting deodar forest would have the largest impact, per unit area, on reducing carbon emission from deforestation.