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Khan, et al.

such as selective logging or reduced-impact logging, from being hindered by agricultural growth, Pakistan
may initially lower overall carbon storage capability. could promote agroforestry, conservation tillage, and
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However, long-term sustainable forest management is organic fertilizers. These approaches enhance soil
crucial to preserving ecologically healthy forests that health and increase carbon storage. Despite the benefits
are more resilient to environmental pressures. This of afforestation in increasing carbon sequestration,
research emphasizes the need for a balanced forest long-term deforestation prevention remains critical.
management strategy that balances both short-term Expanding forest preserves, supporting community-
carbon sequestration and long-term sustainability. based forest management, and curbing illegal logging
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The results demonstrated a strong negative are essential steps. Adapting forests to changing rainfall
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relationship between temperature and FCBI. Forests patterns and rising temperatures is crucial. This may
are particularly vulnerable to climate change, as their involve improving fire management practices, enhancing
carbon sequestration capacity declines with increasing forest monitoring, and promoting the use of storm-
temperatures. Heat stress damages forest ecosystems, resistant trees. Forest protection must be incorporated
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as Smigaj et al. found. Elevated temperatures increase into sustainable land-use planning to reduce the impact
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soil and plant respiration, releasing carbon into the of urbanization and infrastructure development on forest
atmosphere. Furthermore, extreme temperatures can ecosystems. Green infrastructure and park renovations
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reduce forest productivity and increase the risk of could also contribute to carbon sequestration. Given
wildfires, further diminishing carbon stocks. This that Pakistan is a signatory of the Paris Agreement,
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research underscores the crucial need for adaptive forest aggressive action is required to address climate change.
management practices that improve forest resilience to Forest conservation efforts should align with broader
heat stress in Pakistan, where temperatures have been climate and development goals, including renewable
rising due to climate change. energy initiatives and sustainable waste management. 98
Rainfall has a negative coefficient, suggesting that
excessive rainfall may hinder carbon sequestration. 5. Conclusion and policy recommendation
While precipitation is necessary for forest growth,
excessive or irregular precipitation patterns can lead This study analyzed the factors influencing Pakistan’s
to soil erosion, waterlogging, and nutrient leaching, all carbon storage capacity, including climate, precipitation,
of which harm forests. Sun et al. stated that climate land-use changes, deforestation, agricultural income,
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change-induced changes in precipitation patterns and forest preservation regulations. The RLS regression
may disrupt the delicate balance of forest ecosystems. analysis revealed that these factors significantly affect
Climate variability is significantly altering Pakistan’s the FCBI. The study demonstrated that environmental
rainfall patterns, adversely affecting forest ecosystems, processes and societal activities are interconnected,
and adaptation measures are needed to mitigate these with agricultural dependence driving deforestation
effects. Another factor contributing to reduced carbon and land conversion, which in turn threatens forest
sequestration is human activity. Deforestation and carbon carbon sequestration. Climate change exacerbated
release often result from urbanization, infrastructure this situation by reducing Pakistan’s forest carbon
development, and agricultural conversion. According to sequestration capacity through rising temperatures and
4
Qin et al., land-use change is a major driver of global altered precipitation patterns. In addition, urbanization
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carbon emissions. Pakistan’s forest areas are under and infrastructure development contributed to decreased
increasing pressure from urbanization and infrastructure carbon absorption by forests. The findings also indicate
growth. Deforestation not only degrades habitats and that reforestation may offer temporary improvements in
biodiversity but also reduces carbon sequestration. carbon absorption, highlighting the complex relationship
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Therefore, land-use planning and forest protection must between deforestation and carbon sequestration.
be integrated to balance development with sustainability. However, the unsustainability of this strategy emphasizes
These findings have significant implications for the urgent need for proactive forest protection. Pakistan
Pakistan’s climate change and carbon storage strategies. faces substantial challenges from climate change,
Deforestation, land-use changes, and agricultural urbanization, and economic expansion. The loss of
activities contributed to nearly 200 million metric tons forest carbon capacity due to anthropogenic activities
of carbon dioxide emissions in Pakistan in 2022. These undermines both ecological stability and efforts to
emissions underscore the urgent need for focused efforts mitigate climate change. Therefore, achieving Pakistan’s
to mitigate carbon loss. To prevent carbon sequestration carbon sequestration and sustainable development goals
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Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 60 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025050027