Assessment on Carbon Stock of Natural and Plantation Forest in Setema District, Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia

doi:10.7176/jetp/12-1-01

Abstract

A Carbon Stock of Natural and Plantation Forest in Setema District, Jimma, South West Ethiopia was conducted. Carbon (C) densities of the biomass and soil (0–40 cm) in the natural forest and plantations of E.globulus and C. lusitanica in the Setema forest were determined and compared. In the stratum or forest stand, sample plots of 20 m x 20 m,(square) were randomly laid to measure the biomass of woody plants, a total of 90 (30 in each stratum) sample plots were taken for C stock inventory. Biomass C densities were estimated from total tree height, breast height diameter and wood density using allometric functions developed for tropical species and an assumed C content of 50%. Belowground biomass C densities were estimated using root: shoot biomass ratios. Soil organic C (SOC) densities were calculated from measured organic carbon contents (0–20 and 20–40 cm layers) and modeled bulk density values. Mean total biomass C densities for natural forest were greater than those of the plantations, and mean total SOC densities for plantations were greater than those of the natural forest, and the difference was significant (p < 0.05) in the cases of plantation and natural forest, but not significant in SOC in the case of E. globulus plantation species. Natural forests can store more total C stocks than plantations of exotic species, but the difference between natural forest and plantation of exotic was depended on plantation species. Therefore, species selection is vital when establishing tree plantations with the aim of the restoration of degraded soils and biomass carbon stocks. Conservation of the natural forest will have an imperative implication to the total C density and ensuring its viability. Keywords: biomass; carbon stocks ; C. lusitanica; E. globulus; natural forest ; soil carbon stocks DOI: 10.7176/JETP/12-1-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Highlights

1.1 Background Forest ecosystems are the major terrestrial ecosystem comprising 4.1 billion ha (Brown et al, 2002) and are significantly important in reducing the increasing rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) build-up in the atmosphere responsible for climate change (Streck and Scholz, 2006)
Evidence of climate change linked to activities of the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations is well-documented in international studies (IPCC, 2001; 2007)
Conceptual frame work The conceptual model that was used in this study shows how to determine the biomass and soil organic carbon stock in the study sites, to achieve the idea of study objectives

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Background Forest ecosystems are the major terrestrial ecosystem comprising 4.1 billion ha (Brown et al, 2002) and are significantly important in reducing the increasing rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) build-up in the atmosphere responsible for climate change (Streck and Scholz, 2006). Forests are playing an important and uncountable role in the terrestrial carbon cycle. Forest vegetation and soils constitute a major terrestrial carbon pool with the potential to absorb, sequestrate, or uptake and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Evidence of climate change linked to activities of the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations is well-documented in international studies (IPCC, 2001; 2007). The recognized and importance’s of forests in mitigating climate change has led countries to study their forest carbon budgets and initiate the assessment of enhancing and maintaining carbon sequestration of their forest resources

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion