Classification of forests
The forest are classified based on canopy density as:
- Very dense forests (VDF)-3.04% with tree canopy density of over 70%.
- Moderately dense forests (MDF)-9.33% which are also called natural forest with tree canopy density of 40% -70%.
- Open forests-9.34% with tree canopy density of 10% -40%.
The per hectare carbon sink provided by VDF is the highest in tropical and subtropical climate across India, implying that each hectare of VDF has the largest carbon stock owing to its larger canopy.
- The tropical dry deciduous forests are spread in the largest area, with the share of open forests, MDF and VDF in descending order respectively.
- The MDF found in tropical moist deciduous forest are the next largest stratum that provides CCS owing to their size.
- The himalayan dry temperate forest has the highest carbon stock potential in their VDF compared to the VDF of other forest strata as well as the aggregate CCS, and these forests need conservation positively.
- The plantations and trees outside forest (TOF) provide the lowest CCS although they are easy to grow and maintain.
- The tropical dry deciduous forest followed by tropical moist deciduous forest provide the maximum CCS owing to their size in the absolute terms.
- Mangroves, 0.15% of the graphical area, the blue economy ecosystems with 3 to 4 times higher CCS as compared to any forest on land have increased by a minimal 17 km² and are unable to offset the loss of MDF.
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