Carbon stock dynamics in different vegetation dominated community forests under REDD+: A case from Nepal

Evaluating the effectiveness and integrity of forest-based emissions reduction schemes requires appropriate monitoring and evaluation. In order to develop one such approach, this study estimates total carbon stock and change in that stock over time, in REDD+ pilot projects in Nepal, including a comparison of outcomes by different (dominant vegetation and density) forest types. As expected, average biomass carbon was greater in dense canopy forests than sparse ones in all vegetation types. More particularly, carbon stock was highest in dense canopy of Shorea robusta forests followed by mixed broad-leaf forests, Rhododendron-Quercus forests, Pine forests and Schima–Castanopsis forests. On average, carbon stock increased in forests under the REDD+ activities during the study period (2010–13). The carbon increment between 2010 and 2013 was higher in dense forests with dominant Pine vegetation (24 Mg C/ha) followed by Schima–Castanopsis (20 Mg C/ha), mixed broad leaf types (18.9 Mg C/ha) and S. robusta (16.9 Mg C/ha), while the lowest was found in sparse canopy of Rhododendron-Quercus vegetation (5.9 Mg C/ha). The results suggest that funding agencies could maximise carbon stock by targeting particular forest types, but it should be noted that this has implications for the conservation and management practices for, and income from, community forests. The results of this study will be useful in designing REDD+ policies and programmes in Nepal. Although the exact results of the study could not be applicable; the approach, framework of the study and knowledge can be applied in several other developing countries with similar community-based forest management systems