ASSESSMENT OF BIOMASS AND CARBON STOCKS IN CONIFEROUS FOREST OF DIR KOHISTAN, KPK

The present study estimates total biomass and carbon stocks of the coniferous forest of Dir Kohistan. The biomass and carbon stocks were assessed by using inventory data. The results indicated that stem density ranged from 224 trees ha^-1 in mix coniferous forest to 166 tree ha^-1 in mixed Abies pindrow and Picea smithiana forest. Stem volume ranged from 369.49 m^3 ha^-1 in mixed Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana forest to 440.70 m^3 ha^-1 in mixed coniferous forest. The overall recorded mean stem density was 191 trees ha^-1 constituting 400.89 m^3 ha^-1 stem volume. The estimated average biomass was 258.98 Mg ha^-1. The mean carbon stock was 129.49 Mg ha^-1 .The total calculated biomass from coniferous forest was 16.12 Tg. The total carbon stored by forest was 8.06 Tg. Through afforestation of blank area (5523.7 ha) the study area can sequester 0.7141 Tg carbon in future.