Six elevation zones viz., MHF 1 to MHF 6 (Mahendragiri Hill Forest) starting from 229 to > 1505 m asl were assessed to estimate the biomass and carbon stock in tropical dry deciduous forests of Mahendragiri Hills, Eastern Ghats. It aims at establishing a relationship among stem density, biomass, and carbon stock along the elevation gradient and disturbance regime. Each zone considered twenty plots for the investigation (0.05 ha; 50 × 10 m). All the trees ≥ 1 cm girth at breast height were enumerated, and the non-harvest method was used to assess the biomass. The tree biomass ranged from 129.05 Mg/ha in MHF 1 to 255.87 Mg/ha in MHF 2; with the total carbon stock also followed the same trend. The Soil Organic Carbon percentage ranged from 0.70 ± 0.24 to 1.43 ± 0.15 and 0.55 ± 0.22 to 1.13 ± 0.42 in the top and bottom layers, respectively. The results suggest the insufficiency of significant influence on tree biomass by elevation, species richness, diversity, and stem density. The disturbance score generated from the quantification of the frequency of occurrence of different disturbances showed high values in MHF 3 and MHF 1 among the six elevation zones. The disturbance has a more significant impact on the biomass. The highest carbon stock accumulation in MHF 2 could be due to the presence of abundant, large-diameter trees. The total SOC estimated in different elevation zones showed a strong significant positive correlation with elevation. The present research would give an insight for proper management of the declining tropical dry deciduous forests.

中文翻译：

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树木生物量和碳储量：了解物种丰富度，海拔和干扰的作用

评估了6个海拔区域，从MHF 1到MHF 6（Mahendragiri小山森林），起始高度为229至> 1505 m，以估计东高止山脉Mahendragiri Hills的热带落叶林中的生物量和碳储量。它旨在建立沿海拔梯度和扰动机制的茎密度，生物量和碳储量之间的关系。每个区域考虑了20个样地进行调查（0.05公顷； 50×10 m）。列举出所有胸围≥1 cm的树木，并采用非收获方法评估生物量。树木生物量的范围从MHF 1中的129.05 Mg / ha到MHF 2中的255.87 Mg / ha；碳总存量也遵循相同的趋势。顶层和底层的土壤有机碳百分比分别为0.70±0.24至1.43±0.15和0.55±0.22至1.13±0.42。结果表明，海拔，物种丰富度，多样性和茎密度对树木生物量的影响不充分。通过量化不同干扰发生频率而产生的干扰评分在六个高程区的MHF 3和MHF 1中显示出较高的值。扰动对生物质的影响更大。MHF 2中最高的碳储量积累可能是由于存在大量的大直径树木。在不同海拔区域估算的总SOC与海拔高度呈显着正相关。本研究将为正确管理日益减少的热带干燥落叶林提供一个见识。通过量化不同干扰发生频率而产生的干扰评分在六个高程区的MHF 3和MHF 1中显示出较高的值。扰动对生物质的影响更大。MHF 2中最高的碳储量积累可能是由于存在大量的大直径树木。在不同海拔区域估算的总SOC与海拔高度呈显着正相关。本研究将为正确管理日益减少的热带干燥落叶林提供一个见识。通过量化不同干扰发生频率而产生的干扰评分在六个高程区的MHF 3和MHF 1中显示出较高的值。扰动对生物质的影响更大。MHF 2中最高的碳储量积累可能是由于存在大量的大直径树木。在不同海拔区域估算的总SOC与海拔高度呈显着正相关。本研究将为正确管理日益减少的热带干燥落叶林提供一个见识。MHF 2中最高的碳储量积累可能是由于存在大量的大直径树木。在不同海拔区域估算的总SOC与海拔高度呈显着正相关。本研究将为正确管理日益减少的热带干燥落叶林提供一个见识。MHF 2中最高的碳储量积累可能是由于存在大量的大直径树木。在不同海拔区域估算的总SOC与海拔高度呈显着正相关。本研究将为正确管理日益减少的热带干燥落叶林提供一个见识。