Biomass production and carbon stock inventory of high-altitude dry temperate land use systems in North Western Himalaya

Kafula Chisanga,Nazir A. Pala,D. R. Bhardwaj,C. L. Thakur

doi:10.1186/s13717-018-0134-8

Abstract

IntroductionCarbon stock estimation in different land use systems is necessary for curbing global climatic crisis. In the present study, high-altitude dry temperate land use systems (LUS) at three altitudinal ranges “A1, 1900–2170 m.a.s.l., A2, 2170–2440 m.a.s.l., and A3, 2440–2710 m.a.s.l.” were selected based on lapse rates in Kinnur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The study was aimed at estimating the difference in biomass and carbon stocks in different land use systems and recommendation of the suitable environment-friendly land use for the region. Six land use systems viz.; agriculture, horticulture, agrihorticulture, agri-horti-silviculture, silvipasture, and barren land common at all the three altitudes were selected for experimental setup.ResultsMaximum mean aboveground biomass (84.65 t ha− 1), belowground biomass (19.50 t ha− 1), and total biomass (104.10 t ha− 1) were recorded in the silvipasture land use system. Total biomass production of different land use systems followed the order: silvipasture > agri-horti-silviculture > agrihorticulture > horticulture > agriculture > barren land respectively. Maximum soil organic carbon (1.41%) was recorded in silvipasture land use systems, which however remained statistically at par with the organic carbon contents of horticulture. Soil organic carbon, irrespective of the land use system increased with increase in altitudinal range and decreased with increase in soil depth. Maximum carbon density (155.77 t ha− 1) in 0–100 cm layer was in agri-horticulture LUS. The order of carbon density under different land use systems was agri-horticulture > agri-horti-silviculture > silvipasture > horticulture > agriculture > barren land. Irrespective of the land use system, the carbon density at different altitudinal gradient followed the trend A1, 1900–2170 m.a.s.l., > A3, 2440–2710 m.a.s.l and > A2, 2170–2440 m.a.s.l.ConclusionsThe outcome of the study can play an important role, while selecting different land use systems and different crop combinations for effective management of carbon budget to mitigate climate change and global warming issues in other fragile Himalayan ecosystems.

Highlights

Carbon stock estimation in different land use systems is necessary for curbing global climatic crisis
The land use systems (LUS) recorded the aboveground biomass in the ascending order as barren land, agriculture, horticulture, agri-horticulture, agri-horti-silviculture, and silvipasture respectively (Table 2)
Maximum aboveground biomass (41.06 t ha− 1) is recorded at the highest altitude, i.e., A3 (2440–2710 m.a.s.l.), which is significantly higher than A1 and A2

Summary

Introduction

Carbon stock estimation in different land use systems is necessary for curbing global climatic crisis. Total biomass production of different land use systems followed the order: silvipasture > agri-horti-silviculture > agrihorticulture > horticulture > agriculture > barren land respectively. The introduction of more woody perennials in and around the orchards and other agriculture landscapes of the Himalayan region can enhance and safeguard the biodiversity and in turn will improve livelihood opportunities (Singh et al 2017) These agroforestry land use systems provide ecosystem services by becoming reservoirs for carbon stock storage and mitigation of climate change along with the sustenance of livelihood (Rajput et al 2015; Gokhale and Pala 2011; Pala et al 2015)

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Conclusion