Vegetation structure and carbon stock potential in the community-managed forest of the Mid-Western Hilly Region, Nepal

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

PDF
DOI https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjfor/r060103
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2022)
Section
Articles

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

KRISHNA RAWAL
Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University. Pokhara Campus, 5XQR+GR2, Pokhara 33700, Nepal.
PRAJWOL BABU SUBEDI ♥
Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University. Pokhara Campus, 5XQR+GR2, Pokhara 33700, Nepal.

Abstract

Abstract. Rawal K, Subedi PB. 2022. Vegetation structure and carbon stock potential in the community-managed forest of the Mid-Western Hilly Region, Nepal. Asian J For 6: 15-21. Community forests (CF) play a crucial role in sustainable development and accumulate carbon to mitigate global climate change. The objective of this study was to evaluate the plant diversity, regeneration status, and carbon stock potential of two community-managed Shorea robusta-dominated forests in Nepal's Dailekh District, namely Bayeldhunga Pahapu CF and Bayeldhunga CF. A total of 76 sample plots were studied using a systematic sampling intensity of 0.5%. The density of species in the developmental phase was used to determine the forest's regeneration condition. Allometric equations were used to calculate the aboveground carbon store of tree species. Shorea robusta Gaertn. was the foremost species regarding regeneration and carbon storage in the studied forest areas, with high regeneration conditions. The seedlings, saplings, and trees in the Bayeldhunga Pahapu CF exceeded those in the Bayeldhunga CF. In both study areas, J-shaped reverse population curves were observed. This study provided details on tree species' regeneration condition, structure, proportions, and carbon sequestration capacity, which is critical for community forest management and conservation. The analysis showed that by altering the structure and proportions of community forests, community management has boosted the carbon storage of forests and enhanced forest productivity.

2017-01-01

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

References
Acharya RP, Bhattarai BP, Dahal N, Kunwar RM, Karki G, Bhattarai H P. 2015. Governance in community forestry in Nepal through forest certification. Intl For Rev 17 (1): 1-9. DOI: 10.1505/146554815814725077.
Aryal S, Bhattarai DR, Devkota RP. 2013. Comparison of carbon stocks between mixed and pine-dominated forest stands within the Gwalinidaha Community Forest in Lalitpur District, Nepal. Small-Scale For 12 (4): 659-666. DOI: 10.1007/s11842-013-9236-4.
Chakma J, Gautam D. 2019. Review: New era of community forest resources management. North Am Acad Res 2 (4): 199-207.
Chand HB, Singh H, Chhetri R. 2018. Carbon sequestration potential in Sahid Smriti community forest; a case study of Terai Region of Nepal. International Conference on Agriculture and Allied Sciences: The Productivity, Food Security and Ecology 2018: 108-113.
Chauhan PS, Negi JD, Singh L, Manhas RK. 2008. Regeneration status of Sal forests of Doon Valley. Ann For 16 (2): 178-182.
Chave J, Andalo C, Brown S, Cairns MA, Chambers JQ, Eamus D, Fölster H, Fromard F, Higuchi N, Kira T, Lescure JP. 2005. Tree allometry and improved estimation of carbon stocks and balance in tropical forests. Oecologia 145: 87-99. DOI: 10.1007/s00442-005-0100-x.
Chazdon RL, Lindenmayer D, Guariguata MR, Crouzeilles R, Benayas JMR, Chavero EL. 2020. Fostering natural forest regeneration on former agricultural land through economic and policy interventions. Environ Res Lett 15 (4): 043002. DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ab79e6.
Curtice J. 1959. The Vegetation of Wisconsin: An Ordination of Plant Communities. The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2010. Global Forest Resource Assessment. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome.
Johnson I, Coburn R. 2010. Trees for Carbon Sequestration. Prime Facts, Industry, and Investment, New South Wales Government.
Joshi R, Chhetri R, Yadav K. 2019. Vegetation analysis in community forests of Terai Region, Nepal. Intl J Environ Sci 8 (3): 68-82. DOI: 10.3126/ ije.v8i3.26667.
Joshi R, Singh H. 2020. Carbon sequestration potential of a disturbed and non-disturbed forest ecosystem: A tool for mitigating climate change. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 14 (11): 385-393. DOI: 10.5897/AJEST2020.2920.
Joshi R. 2021. Regeneration status and carbon accumulation potential in community managed sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Far-Western Terai Region, Nepal. Eur J Ecol 7 (1): 26-39. DOI: 10.17161/eurojecol.v7i1.15005.
Kandel DR. 2007. Vegetation Structure and Regeneration of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) in Community Managed Forests of Inner Terai, Central Nepal. [Thesis]. Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Karki K, Bargali SS, Bargali YS. 2017. Plant diversity, regeneration status, and standing biomass under varied degree of disturbances in temperate mixed oak-conifer forest, Kumaun Himalaya. Intl J Ecol Environ Sci 43 (4): 331-345.
Karky BS, Skutsch M. 2010. The cost of carbon abatement through community forest management in Nepal Himalaya. Ecol Econ 69 (3): 666-672. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.10.004.
Karousakis K. 2007. Incentives to Reduce GHG Emissions from Deforestation: Lessons Learned from Costa Rica and Mexico, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Paris. DOI: 10.1787/oecd_papers-v7-art1-en.
Magar KB, Shrestha BB. 2015. Carbon stock in community managed Hill Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of Central Nepal. J Sustain For 34 (5): 483-501. DOI: 10.1080/10549811.2015.1031251.
Måren IE, Karki S, Prajapati C, Yadav RK, Shrestha BB. 2015. Facing north or south: Does slope aspect impact forest stand characteristics and soil properties in a semiarid trans-Himalayan valley? J Arid Environ 121: 112-123. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.06.004.
Neupane B, Sharma RP. 2014. An assessment of the effect of vegetation size and type, and altitude on above ground plant biomass and carbon. J Agric Crop Res 2 (3): 44-50.
Nugroho Y, Suyanto, Makinudin D, Aditia S, Yulimasita DD, Afandi AY, Harahap MM, Matatula J, Wirabuana PYAP. 2022. Vegetation diversity, structure and composition of three forest ecosystems in Angsana coastal area, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 2640-2647. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d230547.
Onaindia M, Dominguez I, Albizu I, Garbisu C, Amezaga I. 2004. Vegetation diversity and vertical structure as indicators of forest disturbance. For Ecol Manag 195 (3): 341-354. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2004.02.059.
Pallardy SG. 2010. Physiology of Woody Plants. Academic Press, San Diego.
Pandey HP, Maren IE, Dutta IC. 2012. REDD+ in community forests, western Nepal: A case from Gorkha District, Central Himalaya. LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Chisinau.
Pathak BR, Yi X, Bohara R. 2017. Community based forestry in Nepal: Status, issues and lessons learned. Intl J Sci 6 (3): 119-129. DOI: 10.18483/ijSci.1232.
Sapkota IP, Tigabu M, Oden P. 2009. Spatial distribution, advanced regeneration and stand structure of nepalese sal (Shorea robusta) forests subject to disturbances of different intensities. For Ecol Manag 257: 1966-1975. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2009.02.008.
Shameem SA, Kangroo IN. 2011. Comparative assessment of edaphic features and phytodiversity in Lower Dachigam National Park, Kashmir Himalaya, India. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 5: 972-984.
Sharma KP, Bhatta SP, Khatri GB, Pajiyar A, Joshi DK. 2020. Estimation of carbon stock in the chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) plantation forest of Kathmandu Valley, Central Nepal. J For Environ Sci 36 (1): 37-46.
Zobel DB, Behan MJ, Jha PK, Yadav URK. 1987. A Practical Manual for Ecology. Ratna Book Distributors, Kathmandu.