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This research estimates the carbon stock of the subtropical broad-leaved evergreen scrub forest of Lehtrar, a revenue estate of Kotli Sattian, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of six nested co-centric plots of 17.84 m2 each were laid out in the forest, having two sub-plots of 5.64 m2 and 1 m2 each, for shrubs and litter, respectively. Stem density, tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), total tree biomass, and total carbon stock were calculated. In each plot, parameters like latitude, longitude, aspect, slope, elevation, tree count, etc., were catalogued. The carbon value was calculated in pools such as aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), litter, shrubs, etc. The tree height was measured using Abney’s level and the diameter at breast height (DBH) with diameter tape, while factors such as volume, shrub mass, litter mass, total tree biomass, and total carbon stock were calculated by using standard formulas. Results showed Olea ferrugineae to be the most abundant tree species in the study area, followed by Acacia modesta. The total average DBH and height were calculated as 17.03 and 16.79, respectively, with the species Dalbergia sissoo having the greatest DBH value. The mean carbon stock came out to be 47.75 tons/ha, with plot number 3 having the highest value of carbon stock, owing to the greatest stem count. The results of the study were significant and reflected a rich stem density, rich biomass, and an adequate carbon stocking capacity. The scrub forests of the study area, being important carbon sinks, are prone to deforestation and forest degradation activities that need to be controlled by using proper forest management practices to keep their carbon sequestration ability intact, as suggested under various reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD initiatives of UNFCCC.

Abstract Background The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has estimated that invasive alien species (IAS) might cause billions of dollars of losses every year across the world. One example is South-East Asia, where IAS have caused an estimated loss of 33.5 billion USD, affecting the environment, human health, and agricultural production. Factors associated with climate change, such as increased carbon dioxide (CO2), heavy precipitation, and elevated temperatures is expected to facilitate biological invasion, leading only to further financial and public health loss. Thus, further study is needed to identify, collate and categorise what evidence exists on the impacts of climate change on fish and shellfish species that contribute to the list of “One Hundred of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species” as identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN). Such mapping will identify regions more at risk of biological invasion as climate change progresses. Methods We outline a systematic mapping review protocol that follows the Guideline and Standards for Evidence Synthesis in Environmental Management and RepOrting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES). We describe how peer-reviewed articles will be collected from Web of Science and Scopus, and then analyzed to create knowledge maps on the impact climate change has on invasive species. Finally, we speculate on how our results will aid future management of invasive species in the light of climate change.