Assessment of the CO2 sequestration and emission potential of the Kari classified forest, Burkina Faso

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess changes in the CO2 sequestration and emission capacities of the Kari classified forest. To this end, a study of land use dynamics was carried out using Landsat images from 2000, 2010 and 2019. To assess wood potential and CO2 emissions, a forest inventory was carried out by sampling. The data on vegetation dynamics and wood potential show that more than 90% of the vegetation in this forest has remained stable from 2000 to 2019. However, significant degradation of the vegetation has been recorded in shrub savannahs, tree savannahs and gallery forests. The assessment of wood potential indicates that the forest is stable, balanced and in full recovery. The forest constitutes a carbon dioxide reservoir, with approximately 2.35 MtCO2eq sequestered in 2019. The assessment also reveals that the degradation of the vegetation has led to significant CO2 emissions. Between 2000 and 2010, the study area emitted an average of 94,566 tCO2eq, i.e., an average annual emission of 9,456.6 tCO2eq. The results of this study confirm that the conservation actions carried out by the various stakeholders are making an effective contribution to protecting nature and the services it provides.