Carbon Storage Potential in Traditional Agroforestry System-Case Study of Tehri District in Uttarakhand, North-Western Himalaya, India

Abstract

Agroforestry is the sustainable land management of integration of agriculture and working trees to create sustainable farming system. It has been recognized as a land use system which reduce the pressure of forest. A comparative study was conducted between three Subtropical/Lower (286-1200m), Subtemperate/Middle (1200-2000m) and Temperate/Upper (2000-2800m) altitudes and three Agrihortisilviculture, Agrihorticulture and Agrisilviculture systems in Tehri district, Uttarakhand. Results showed that soil organic carbon and biomass carbon were influenced mostly by the altitudes. Biomass Carbon stock in the lower altitude (286-1200m) was higher compared to the middle and upper altitudes and in the agrihortisilviculture system was higher biomass carbon compare than other system. While Soil organic carbon was higher in the upper altitude (2000-2800m) compare to middle and upper altitudes. In agrihorticulture system, was higher soil organic carbon compare than other system. It is concluded that agroforestry systems are only one viable option for conservation of biodiversity, improve soil fertility and helps to mitigate the danger of greenhouse gas concentrates in Tehri district of Uttarakhand. Hence agroforestry systems need to be promoted further for economic and environmental security and to decrease emissions from deforestation and ecosystem degradation (REDD) + in developing country.