Little study was done to understand the role of high-altitude oak forests in climate change mitigation. Here, we analyzed data from 30 sample plots collected along the four altitudinal gradients to assess species distribution and carbon stocks in the Panchase Conservation Area in Nepal. Three carbon pools were considered, namely aboveground carbon (AGC), belowground carbon (BGC), and carbon in litters (leaf litters, grass, and herb biomass, CiL). Seven species were found, of which two are oak tree species (Quercus semecarpifolia and Quercus lamellosa). Quercus semecarpifolia is the most dominant species in terms of stem density and carbon stocks, followed by Quercus lamellose. Average tree diameter, height, and total carbon stocks were 27.7 cm, 8.4 m, and 127.6 MgC ha^-1, respectively. Our study found higher carbon stocks at the higher altitudinal gradient. Pearson’s correlation analysis shows a strong effect of altitudinal gradients on carbon stocks (r=0.7124), moderate effect on tree height (r=0.5263), and less effects on diameter (r=0.1733). A stepwise multiple regression analysis shows strong relationship between carbon stocks with height (P=0.0059) and carbon stocks with tree diameter (P=0.0148). Our ground observations and random interviews indicate that the low carbon stocks at the low altitude were due to human disturbance. Oak forests at lower altitudes are sparse forest stands with poor regeneration capacity, overgrazing, and extensive lopping. If such disturbance is prevented, oak forest can increase carbon stocks to 361.7 MgC ha^-1 as found at the higher altitude. Conservation of oak forests in the Panchase Conservation Area could result in emission reductions of 633.0 MgCO₂ ha^-1. These reductions could be eligible for financial incentives under the REDD+ scheme.

很少有研究了解高海拔橡树林在缓解气候变化中的作用。在这里，我们分析了沿四个海拔梯度收集的30个样地的数据，以评估尼泊尔Panchase保护区的物种分布和碳储量。考虑了三个碳库，分别是地上碳（AGC），地下碳（BGC）和垫料中的碳（叶垫料，草和草本生物量，CiL）。发现了七个树种，其中两个是橡树树种（栎木（Quercus semecarpifolia）和栎木（Quercus lamellosa））。就茎的密度和碳储量而言，红皮栎是最主要的物种，其次是板栗。平均树木直径，高度和总碳储量为27.7 cm，8.4 m和127.6 MgC ha ^-1， 分别。我们的研究发现，在更高的海拔梯度下会有更高的碳储量。皮尔森的相关分析显示，海拔梯度对碳储量有很强的影响（r = 0.7124），对树高的影响中等（r = 0.5263），对直径的影响较小（r = 0.1733）。逐步多元回归分析显示，高度（P = 0.0059）的碳库与树木直径（P = 0.0148）的碳库之间有很强的关系。我们的地面观察和随机采访表明，低海拔地区的低碳储量是由于人为干扰造成的。海拔较低的橡树林为稀疏林分，再生能力差，过度放牧和大面积砍伐。如果防止这种干扰，橡树林可以使碳储量增加到361.7 MgC ha ^-1如在较高的高度。Panchase保护区的橡树林养护可以减少633.0 MgCO ₂ ha ^-1的排放。根据REDD +计划，这些减少可能有资格获得经济奖励。