Introduction: Carbon stock estimation in different land use systems is necessary for curbing global climatic crisis. In the present study, high-altitude dry temperate land use systems (LUS) at three altitudinal ranges "A 1, 1900-2170 m. a.s.l., A 2, 2170-2440 m.a.s.l., and A 3, 2440-2710 m.a.s.l." were selected based on lapse rates in Kinnur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The study was aimed at estimating the difference in biomass and carbon stocks in different land use systems and recommendation of the suitable environment-friendly land use for the region. Six land use systems viz.; agriculture, horticulture, agrihorticulture, agri-horti-silviculture, silvipasture, and barren land common at all the three altitudes were selected for experimental setup. Results: Maximum mean aboveground biomass (84.65 t ha