Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology

Forests degradation and variation of soil topographic position influence the ability of plants to store carbon. However, the forest of Banco National Park (BNP) received little attention in term of carbon storage, and the lack of detailed data on plant structure is perceived as a serious deficiency for the environmental monitoring. For a better understanding of this change, we conducted an investigation in the humid forest of Banco National Park, where we aimed to determine the plant structure and amount of carbon stored following the variation of habitats and topographic position. We hypothesized that (i) plant abundance and diversity, the biophysical parameters of vegetation and total carbon stock increase from the forest edge to the forest centre, and (ii) the same ones decline along the altitudinal gradient. After data collection in the subplots of 15 m × 15 m established in different habitats and topographic positions, the dendrometric measurements were made, and afterward allometric equations were used to compare the mean values of the studied variables. The results showed through the topography without slope an increase of carbon stocks in plant biomass and the drop one in litter and soil from the forest edge to the forest centre. Conversely, we registered a decline of carbon stock in plant biomass and an increase one in litter and soil with altitude. Additionally, tree species richness dropped along the altitudinal gradient. The community specialization index (CSI) of plants was dominated by the specialist species with a predominance of young or small-diameter individuals, centered on the classes ] 10–20 cm ] and] 20–40 cm], indicating a progressive dynamic with substantial regeneration of individuals. Environmental characteristics impacted the ability of stand forest to store carbon. Overall, total carbon stock increased from the forest edge to the forest centre and decreased with altitude. Considering the total area of Banco National Park, approximately 2,177,830 t C was stored, and 7,985,378 Teq CO₂ might be sequestered indicating the key role of this protected forest in greenhouse gas reduction and climate change mitigation. Our findings suggest that the forest edge and forest centre classified as medium-quality habitats need to be restored, probably through an afforestation program. Moreover, we recommend that the government enforce the protected area status of the BNP by limiting human interference.