Forest fragments are thought to store a disproportionate
amount of some of the remaining terrestrial carbon in degraded
and deforested landscapes. Anand et al. (2014) evaluate the
change in tree allometry and forest structure in forest fragments
of the Western Ghats. They compared above-ground carbon
stocks in evergreen forest fragments to stocks in relatively
undisturbed, contiguous forests. Their results suggest forest fragments store 40% less carbon per hectare above ground than contiguous forests. They relate the lower carbon estimates to change in forest stature, with decline if canopy height and increased mortality from edge effects, including the eventual death of surviving large trees. While improved protection of fragments might play an important role in mitigating carbon loss, a more promising approach is to actively manage restored fragments focusing on increasing stand density, height to diameter ratios, and late successional species composition.