Carbon sequestration potential of natural vegetation under grazing influence in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia: implication for climate change mitigation

Tesfay Atsbha,Anteneh Belayneh Desta,Tessema Zewdu

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02329

Tesfay Atsbha, Anteneh Belayneh Desta + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02329

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Journal: Heliyon	Publication Date: Aug 1, 2019
Citations: 27	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Haramaya University

Abstract

The management influence on carbon sequestration potential of different land use types are least known at the national level. This research was conducted to assess the impact of area exclusion on carbon sequestration potential in the two land use systems: protected natural vegetation (PNV) and communal grazing land (CGL). Data of vegetation, litter, and soils were collected using systematic sampling methods, laying 19 transects and 62 quadrats each with 20 m × 20 m for trees, 5 m × 5 m sub-quadrats for shrubs, and 1 m × 1m sub-quadrats for herbs/grasses, litter biomass, and soil sample. Aboveground biomass carbon (AGC), belowground biomass carbon (BGC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and total carbon stock (TC) were estimated using allometric equations. The mean difference level of carbon stocks (P < 0.05) of the two land use systems was tested through unequal variance t-test using R-software. The mean above ground and below ground carbon stock of PNV, 21.05 ton/ha, 10.39 ton/ha, was higher than CGL, 15.31 ton/ha, 7.65 ton/ha, respectively. The average values of SOC was 16.60 ton/ha from PNV and 13.76 ton/ha from CGL. The mean value of SOC was higher at the PNV than CGL and significantly different (P < 0.05). The total carbon stock estimate of PNV and CGL were 50.74 ton/ha and 37.11 ton/ha, respectively, which is significantly different (P < 0.05). We concluded that, establishment of PNV as the best practice of restoration programs through exclusion of livestock from free grazing and human interference provides cost effective mechanism that yields a high carbon sequestration potential with multiple benefits for biodiversity conservation, livelihood support, and climate change mitigation.

Highlights

The decline of vegetation cover is one of the most serious environmental issues faced humankind today
The above ground carbon stock was higher in the protected natural vegetation (PNV) compared to the communal grazing land (CGL)
Dead woody plant species recorded from nine quadrats in PNV and none in the CGL indicated the frequent utilization of dry woods by the local community

Summary

Introduction

The decline of vegetation cover is one of the most serious environmental issues faced humankind today. The country was striving for different conservation strategies in order to minimize such threats like, watershed management, afforestation, and reforestation, restoration, and rehabilitation programs (Mengistu et al, 2005b) Such practices were found significantly improve the vegetation cover and contributes to the livelihoods of local communities (Mebrat, 2015; Wolde et al, 2018) and used as strategies for climate change mitigation (Bikila et al, 2016; Chiemela et al, 2018). In addition to carbon uptake shifts, afforestation and grazing exclusion can favors carbon sequestration through the reduction of carbon losses if higher ground cover reduces soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition and soil erosion (Jackson et al, 2002; Wolde et al, 2018)

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Conclusion