Limiting global warming to 1.5-2°C requires an immediate reduction in atmospheric carbon, suggesting the urgent need to conserve ecosystems with high carbon potential. Tropical forest systems, especially those that have been conserved for several years, offer immense value in both carbon storage and biodiversity conservation. This study explores the role of sacred groves, the culturally protected forest fragments, as community-managed landscapes that contribute to climate change mitigation and conserve biodiversity. The influence of elevation and grove size on floral richness and carbon storage was examined across 55 sacred groves in Kerala, India. Biomass carbon was estimated using allometric equations, and soil organic carbon was quantified using the wet digestion method, which were then summed to determine the total carbon storage. Statistical analysis revealed that carbon storage was not significantly affected by either. However, both had a significant impact on species richness, with a notable interaction between them. The results indicated that the large groves in highland areas supported the greatest species richness, while small groves in the same physiographic zone had the lowest. Soil analysis showed higher exchangeable potassium in midland groves and elevated bulk density in soils of highland groves. These results highlight the intersection of biophysical characteristics and traditional stewardship in maintaining biodiversity and influencing ecosystem functioning. As biodiversity-rich systems are known to enhance resource use efficiency and biomass accumulation, conserving sacred groves presents a scalable, traditionally embedded solution. Recognising and strengthening such nature-based, community-driven conservation practices can play a pivotal role in achieving climate and sustainability goals.

Carbon stock options to mitigate climate change have become a major area of interest across the globe. Climate change is a global issue, and every possible way to mitigate it, is being explored. Afforestation and ecosystem restoration activities are widely adopted to improve the potential of the land in carbon storage. The Kerala State Action Plan on Climate Change proposed the ‘Trees outside forests (Tof)’ as an effective mechanism to mitigate climate change. Due to its discrete distribution and non-uniformity, there are fewer attempts to measure the potential of these systems. This study tried to determine and compare the carbon (C) stock potential of the three “Trees outside forest (Tof)” conditions prevailing in the Palakkad district, Kerala. The carbon stock by standing biomass and soil of four sites of undisturbed natural vegetation, monoculture plantation, and home garden was estimated using allometric equations and computations. The natural vegetations was found to have a higher carbon stock potential (238.58 Mg ha -1) compared to monoculture plantation and human habitat. Also, natural vegetation’s soil organic carbon content was much higher than monoculture plantations and home gardens. The study also estimated the soil deterioration index of each land use compared to the natural vegetation and barren land. The results of the study suggested that land use has a great influence on soil quality and carbon stock potential. Proper management of these Tof systems can enhance their productivity and contribute accountable support towards mitigating climate change.