Estimation of Litter Carbon Stock in the Nosar Protected Forest, Bintang District, Central Aceh Regency

Protected forests play a crucial role in climate change mitigation through their capacity to store carbon. Litter, as one of the essential components of forest ecosystems, contributes significantly to the total carbon stock. This study aims to estimate the amount of litter biomass and carbon content in the Nosar Protected Forest, Bintang District, Central Aceh Regency. Litter sampling was conducted in August 2025 using the destructive sampling method within designated measurement plots. The collected samples were then analyzed in the laboratory to obtain dry weight and ash content for calculating biomass and carbon concentration. The results showed that the total litter carbon stock in the Nosar Protected Forest reached 1,144,312.95 kg, with the largest contribution originating from areas with very dense vegetation, amounting to 855,895.90 kg or 74.8% of the total carbon stock in the area. Vegetation density was found to influence the amount of litter and carbon storage capacity, where higher vegetation density resulted in greater carbon reserves.