In the eastern Hindu Kush, juniper woodlands play a vital role in sustaining montane dryland ecosystems, thereby acting as significant carbon sinks. We investigated the spatial dynamics of both aboveground carbon stock (AGCS) and soil organic carbon (SOC) in relation to environmental variables and disturbance regimes. Cluster analysis identified three distinct woodland types, each exhibiting significant structural diversity, with low to moderate stem densities (318-492 stems ha(-1)) and basal area (12-20.2 m(2) ha(-1)) (ANOVA, p < 0.03). The overall AGCS was low, ranging from 8 +/- 2 to 14.2 +/- 1 Mg C ha(-1), with significant variation among the woodland types (ANOVA, p = 0.03), while SOC stock ranged from 19 to 25 Mg C ha(-1). In total, the amount of CO2 sequestered by the woodlands was estimated at 105-134 Mg CO2 ha(-1). Structural attributes, soil silt, phosphorus, and water availability were identified as the primary drivers explaining a substantial portion of AGCS. In contrast, temperature, precipitation, and soil CaCO3 had a secondary influence, followed by negative impacts of soil pH, sand percentage, topography, and geographic coordinates. Similarly, soil electrical conductivity, phosphorus, and potassium were positive determinants of the SOC stock, whereas humidity was negatively correlated. Notably, AGCS was highest in the least disturbed communities and exhibited a robust negative relationship with disturbance intensity (R-2 = 0.25, p = 0.005). This study highlights the interconnectedness of socio-ecological and environmental factors in determining carbon density. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting degraded ecosystems through afforestation, woodland conservation, and community-based management to reduce the impacts of climate change.