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Several anthropogenic activities can impact forest carbon (C) dynamics. In the Himalaya, insufficient studies are available on the intensity and impacts of multiple anthropogenic activities on forest C stocks. Here, we studied the changes in tree C stock in temperate forest stands of Kashmir Himalaya due to anthropogenic disturbances. We sampled forest sites with High-Disturbance (HD) and Low-Disturbance (LD) by randomly generating points in Arc GIS 10.1. A total of 24 square plots (0.1 ha size), comprising 12 in each disturbance level, were laid for the estimation of tree C stock. The tree cutting and the mean basal area of cut stems per hectare was greater in HD sites as compared to LD sites. The rapid rate of tree cutting was indicated by a low stem/stump ratio of 1.7 on HD sites. At LD sites, the live trees contributed more to the C stock (94%) than in HD sites (80%). The intensity of tree cutting was far higher near human settlements, contributing with 28.9 Mgha −1  of carbon loss at the HD sites. Our results reveal that the cumulative impacts of anthropogenic disturbances, especially near human settlements where road connectivity and ease of access lead to faster logging, may change the forest structure and C stock potential in the temperate forests of Kashmir Himalaya. Our findings have direct implications for the climate-smart forestry and forest restoration in the region.

Anthropogenic pressure and tree carbon loss in the temperate forests of Kashmir Himalaya