Annual accumulation of carbon in the coniferous forest of Dir Kohistan: An inventorybased estimate

The present study figured out net annual accumulation of carbon in coniferous forest of dir kohistan. in present study the annual diameter growth (cm),mean annual increment (m3 ha-1yr-1) total gain and loss in biomass in biomass (t ha-1yr-1) and total gain and loss of carbon (t ha-1yr-1) was assessed. the results of the study showed that pinus wallichiana has mean maximum annual diameter growth of 0.28±12cm yr-1 while minimum growth was recorded in abies pindrow (0.23±0.056 cm). the mean annual increment of the forest was 5.07m3 ha-1yr-1,while total estimated biomass gained by the forest was 3.31t ha-1yr -1. the mean input of biomass c stock was 1.65 t ha-1yr -1. the study revealed that total biomass removal from the forest in the form of fuel wood,timber consumption and illegal cutting was 2.97t ha-1yr-1 that accounts for 1.48 t ha-1yr-1 of carbon losses. the results of the study concluded that the coniferous forest of dir kohistan can sequester mean carbon of 0.17 t ha-1yr-1 from atmosphere. the results of the present study confirmed that the forest of the study area acts as a net sink of carbon. © 2015,pakistan botanical society. all rights reserved.