Khanal, Srijana: Tree traits and soil properties drive carbon stocks: A comparison of protected areas in three physiographic regions of Nepal [dataset bundled publication]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.987692 (dataset in review)
Abstract:
Protected areas (PAs) in biodiversity hotspots play a crucial role in climate change mitigation by maintaining carbon stocks, yet their storage potential and driving factors remain poorly quantified. This study assessed carbon stocks in PAs in three major physiographic regions of Nepal, namely, the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) in the Himalayas, the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (SNNP) in the mid-hills, and the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in the terai. A total of 244 soil samples were collected using stratified random sampling based on predefined environmental parameters. Carbon stocks, both aboveground carbon (AGC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks were quantified, and the biotic and abiotic drivers were determined. SNNP stored the most AGC stock (184.7 t/ha), while DHR had the greatest SOC stock (155.5 t/ha). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that tree structural traits explained 68.5% of the variation in AGC while soil edaphic factors explained 46.2% in DHR, 42.4% in SNNP and 52.0% in CNP of the variation in SOC stock. AGC stock was correlated strongly with tree structural traits, whereas SOC stock was correlated with available phosphorus (AP). Random forest modelling identified belowground carbon (BGC) and tree diameter at breast height (DBH) as key predictors of AGC stock, and edaphic factors such as electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density (BD), and total nitrogen (TN) as key predictors of SOC stocks. Nepal's PAs serve as critical carbon sinks, requiring region-specific management strategies. By addressing these strategies, biodiversity conservation and carbon storage offers a model for optimizing the management of PAs.
References:
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve management plan FY 2076/77-2080/81 (First Plan) (2020). Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Government of Nepal, https://dnpwc.gov.np/media/publication/Management_Plan_Dhorpatan_HR__English.pdf
Arshad, Ali (2019): Forest stand structure and functioning: Current knowledge and future challenges. Ecological Indicators, 98, 665-677, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.11.017
Barlow, Jos; Lennox, Gareth D; Ferreira, Joice; Berenguer, Erika; Lees, Alexander C; Nally, Ralph Mac; Thomson, James R; Ferraz, Silvio Frosini de Barros; Louzada, Julio; Oliveira, Victor Hugo Fonseca; Parry, Luke; Ribeiro de Castro Solar, Ricardo; Vieira, Ima C G; Aragão, Luiz E O C; Begotti, Rodrigo Anzolin; Braga, Rodrigo F; Cardoso, Thiago Moreira; de Oliveira, Raimundo Cosme Jr; Souza Jr, Carlos M; Moura, Nárgila G; Nunes, Sâmia Serra; Siqueira, João Victor; Pardini, Renata; Silveira, Juliana M; Vaz-de-Mello, Fernando Z; Veiga, Ruan Carlo Stulpen; Venturieri, Adriano; Gardner, Toby A (2016): Anthropogenic disturbance in tropical forests can double biodiversity loss from deforestation. Nature, 535(7610), 144-147, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18326
Flechard, C; van Oijen, Marcel; Cameron, David R; De Vries, Wim; Ibrom, Andreas; Buchmann, Nina; Dise, Nancy B; Janssens, Ivan A; Neirynck, Johan; Montagnani, Leonardo; Varlagin, Andrej; Loustau, Denis; Legout, Arnaud; Ziemblińska, Klaudia; Aubinet, Marc; Aurela, Mika; Chojnicki, Bogdan H; Drewer, Julia; Eugster, Werner; Francez, André-Jean; Juszczak, Radosław; Kitzler, Barbara; Kutsch, Werner L; Lohila, Annalea; Longdoz, Bernard; Matteucci, Giorgio; Moreaux, Virginie; Neftel, A; Olejnik, Janusz; Sanz, Maria J; Siemens, Jan; Vesala, Timo; Vincke, Caroline; Nemitz, Eiko; Zechmeister-Boltenstern, S; Butterbach-Bahl, Klaus; Skiba, Ute Maria; Sutton, Mark A (2020): Carbon–nitrogen interactions in European forests and semi-natural vegetation – Part 2: Untangling climatic, edaphic, management and nitrogen deposition effects on carbon sequestration potentials. Biogeosciences, 17(6), 1621-1654, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1621-2020
Funding:
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), grant/award no. ANSO-SBA-2023-02: Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions
Coverage:
Median Latitude: 28.040023 * Median Longitude: 84.052018 * South-bound Latitude: 27.418890 * West-bound Longitude: 83.022030 * North-bound Latitude: 28.594330 * East-bound Longitude: 85.431980
Date/Time Start: 2024-04-21T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2026-07-11T00:00:00
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0) (License comes into effect after moratorium ends)
Size:
2 datasets
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Datasets listed in this bundled publication
- Khanal, S (in review): Soil samples from three physiographic regions in Nepal. https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.987514
- Khanal, S (in review): Vegetation samples from three physiographic regions in Nepal. https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.987690