Land Use Changes, Carbon Stock Assessment and Genetic identification of the Juniper Forest of Ziarat (Balochistan)

Abstract

The focus of this study is the Juniperus forest of Ziarat Balochistan, which is considered as the second biggest Juniper forest in the world. This study emphasizes on many aspects of the forest including land use changes, Carbon stock assessment and identification of the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation of the Juniper woodland. This study also aimed to identify the specie of the Juniper Forest of Ziarat using molecular techniques. A survey was conducted in Ziarat to ascertain the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. Land use changes in the Ziarat District were identified by using the Landsat satellite images for year 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2018. Carbon stock assessment of the forest was also assessed for living above ground, below ground, soil, shrubs and litter. Three genes were used for the molecular identification of the Juniper forest I-e ITS, petN-psbM and trnD-trnT. Results concluded economic drivers as the major reason for deforestation and forest degradation followed by social drivers, however natural drivers did not play very significant role, rather indirect role. Medicinal use and negligence of forest department was also identified as a driver of deforestation. The land use images over the last thirty years showed intensive deforestation of 6.38% of the total study area. An increase in agriculture and barren land of 2,07% and 4.2% is concluded respectively, while water bodies occupy an extremely insignificant area. The overall estimated average carbon stock is 36.35 ton/ha with living biomass constituting about 10.43 ton/ha, soil 24.35 ton/ha, shrubs 0.05 ton/ha and litter 1.52 ton/ha. ITS and petN-psbM were identified as good identification marker based on the variation pattern of the sequence alignment however trnD-trnT did not show good variation. The analysis of the phylogenetic trees developed as a result of the sample sequence alignment put the Juniperus of Ziarat in a complete separate clade however a further detailed morphological and molecular study needs to be carried for the proper identification of the species. The forest plays a very significant role in maintaining our environment and provides many ecosystem services. If the current pace of deforestation continues, Pakistan may lose one of the ancient forest reserve and ultimately ecological services from it. The Juniper forest requires extensive and comprehensive study in all areas since it is threatened. The proper identification of the forest also needs to be carried out so that we may be able to put in a proper clade and name it accordingly.