Abstract
Trees Outside Forest (TOF) are considered important from an environmental, economic and social perspective. Due to its spatial heterogeneity and distribution patterns, the assessment of TOF and its importance is largely absent. The current study was carried out to assess the major TOFs, carbon stocks contained and socio-economic contribution of TOFs in Banepa Municipality. A stratified random sampling method was used for the collection of data (i.e. agriculture land, settlement area and other than agriculture and settlement). Circular plots of 1,000 m<sup>2</sup> having a radius of 17.84 m were laid out randomly in all three strata. A questionnaire survey and field observation was done to explore the socio-economic contribution of TOF. During the study, a total of 28 tree species were recorded. Socio-economic contribution of TOF were converted and presented in terms of monetary value per household per year (NRs/hh/yr), i.e. firewood (960 NRs/hh/yr), fruits (820 NRs/hh/yr), selling whole tree (5500 NRs/hh/yr), timber (25500 NRs/hh/yr) and fodder (4543 NRs/hh/yr). About 23% of the TOF are mostly used for fodder collection and the other 23% of TOF for fruit collection. The total carbon stock was calculated to be 5.76 ton/ha (1.39ton/ha in agriculture land, 2.09ton/ha in the settlement area, and 2.27 ton/ha in other than agriculture or settlement) in the study area and the average carbon stock was calculated to be 1.92 ton/ha. Species-wise carbon stock was calculated where Prunus cerasoides and Alnus nepalensis were found to have a higher contribution in carbon storage. Hence, there is a visible impact of TOF in carbon storage and socio-economic improvement of local people.
Highlights
Trees outside forest (TOF) includes all trees that exist beyond the forest and other wooded lands [1]
Choerospondias axilaris, Citrus sinensis, Pyrus pyrifolia are used for getting fruits
It has been seen that the carbon stock was varied in TOF [6] where this study shows the variation of carbon stock in three strata of the study area which is directly related to the variation in AGBT in TOF of the study area
Summary
Trees outside forest (TOF) includes all trees that exist beyond the forest and other wooded lands [1] It includes agroforestry systems, orchards, small clumps of trees, permanent meadows and pastures, trees growing on farms and in urban and per urban zones, in lines along rivers, canals and roads, and in gardens, parks and towns [2]. "Trees outside forest may be productive; such as orchards, and trees in fields and other agroforestry systems, or protective; such as trees with an ecological or landscaping function; or ornamental; such as trees around houses, and in parks and towns." TOF can be found in all climates, land types, land uses, and regions and have important economic, social, and environmental implications on local, national, and global scales [3]. In India, 25.6% of the national growing stock was found outside of forests and in some Indian states, even the majority of wood supplies come from non-forest trees [5]
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