Exploring the Potential of Carbon Sequestration in Sub-Tropical Pine Forest Ecosystem: A Case Study in District Kurram, Pakistan

Abstract

Carbon sequestration is of recent international focus to mitigate human-induced climate change. Nature has its mechanisms for carbon storage. Forests are important natural storehouses of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems. Estimation of forest biomass in various ecosystems is of key importance in the context of international climate treaties. The objectives of the current study were to assess above-ground carbon (AGC), belowground carbon (BGC) and total carbon stock in the sub-tropical pine forest in Upper Kurram District, Kurram (Pakistan). Twenty-five sample plots were marked in the study area to collect tree diameter, height and density-related information. Allometric equations were used to estimate total carbon stock from field data. The results depicted that the mean total biomass in the study area was 54.90 (t ha-1) with the aboveground biomass (AGB) 43.60 t/ha and below-ground biomass (BGB) 11.34 t/ha.. The mean carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) were 94.50 t/ha. The result of the correlation between mean height and mean DBH shows the R2 value of 0.9971. This indicated that mean height and mean DBH have a strongly positive relation. The Coefficient of determination (R2) between AGB and the diameter of Chir Pine forests is 0.6358. This study indicated that sub-tropical pine forests have a strong potential for carbon sequestration. The findings of this study will help policymakers in decision-making and developing future scenarios for climate change mitigation.