Carbon Stock Analysis Along Altitudinal Gradient in Gedo Forest: Implications for Forest Management and Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Forests provide important ecological and environmental benefits. They serve as natural sinker of atmospheric CO2 to mitigate climate change. In Ethiopia although, there is significant forest resource, the studies on carbon stock potential and factors that affect this potential have not been well studied. This study was done with the aim of estimating carbon stock potential and related factors that affect carbon sequestration in Gedo forest. Data was collected from 10m x 20m plot along transect in systematically stratified forest part. The forest had total mean carbon stock of 523.64 ± 29 ton ha-1 with aboveground biomass (281 ± 23.34 t C ha-1)and belowground biomass 56.1 ± 4.66 t C ha-1), litter biomass (0.41 ± 0.008 t C ha-1), deadwood biomass (2.37 ± 1.33 t C ha-1) and soil organic carbon (183.69 ± 6.17 t C ha-1). Spatial distribution of the carbon stock varied along environmental gradient. Altitude has inverse relation with aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, deadwood carbon and total carbon density. Altitude also has significant effect on all carbon pool except litter biomass and soil organic carbon. More aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and total carbon were found in the middle altitude and lower carbon was found in the upper altitude. Soil organic carbon and litter biomass carbon decreases with altitude. Deadwood biomass carbon pool was found only in lower altitude. Based on overall result it is concluded carbon sequestration in a forest ecosystem is determined by altitudinal gradient.