Unlocking the potential of private forests for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and livelihoods in Nepal

Globally, natural forests have declined since 1990, while planted and private forests have expanded by 123 million hectares. With careful species selection, private forests can offer significant environmental and financial benefits. This study collected and analyzed data from 28 private forests (PFs) across two distinct physiographic regions of Nepal, the Terai and Mid-Hills, assessing their ecological characteristics, carbon sequestration potential, and farmers’ species preferences. Findings reveal contrasting ecological patterns: Mid-Hill Private Forests (MPF) exhibited higher species richness and more evenly distributed biomass, while Terai Private Forests (TPF) were dominated by a few high-biomass species such as Shorea borneensis and Tectona grandis , storing over three times more carbon per hectare than MPF. Farmers’ preferences mirrored these contrasts, with multipurpose species favored in the Mid-Hills and high-value timber species in the Terai. Ecological dominance (IVI) strongly predicted aboveground biomass in MPF (ρ = 0.78, p < 0.001) but showed a weak association in TPF (ρ = 0.42, p = 0.08), highlighting divergent species roles in carbon storage. Our findings demonstrate that private forests hold untapped potential for carbon trading (REDD+), biodiversity conservation, and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This study provides vital information for evidence-based policy change and sustainable private forest management by integrating carbon sequestration, biodiversity indices, and farmer preferences across Nepal’s physiographic gradients.