Vol. 11, Special Issue 12 (2022)

Kodagu is one of the greenest landscapes in India, with 81% of the geographical area under tree cover contributing to the rich biodiversity representing about 8% of India's plant wealth. The study aimed to assess and compare the floristic diversity, biomass, and carbon stock in coffee-based agroforestry and adjoining natural forests. Using the random sampling technique, sample plots were laid for field data collection in the different study areas. A total of 102 tree species in coffee agroforests and 50 tree species in adjoining forests were recorded. Shannon’s diversity was highest in coffee agroforests (3.60) compared to the natural forest (3.32). Higher tree density (351±19.35 stems ha^–1) was recorded in coffee agroforests compared to natural forests (287±13.53 stems ha^–1). Conversely, the basal area was higher in natural forests (39.53±0.38 m² ha^–1) compared to coffee agroforests (29.54±1.34 m² ha^–1). Similarly, the amount of carbon stored in natural forests was to the tune of 88.84±2.90 Mg ha^–1, while in a coffee-based agroforestry system, it was found to be 77.39±3.30 Mg ha^–1. Management of coffee agroforests, mainly shade tree management plays an essential role in carbon storage and dynamics. Artocarpus integrifolia (23.11%) was the dominant tree species in coffee agroforests, whereas Elaeocarpus tuberculatus (28.25%) was dominant in natural forests. Girth class distribution showed the pattern of an inverted J shape curve in the natural forest, while in agroforests, it was positively skewed, indicating the dominance of a few diameter classes. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that traditional coffee-based agroforests are floristically richer than adjoining natural forests. These land-use systems offer greater opportunities for biodiversity conservation and higher carbon storage in this region.