Abstract
This study was conducted to estimate carbon stock along altitudinal gradient of Sekele-Mariam dry Afromontane forest, North- Western Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling was employed to collect tree/shrub diameter and height, litter and soil data. A total of 60 plots with 50m*50m size each with nested plot (1m*1m) size for litter and soil were laid on the transect line. Diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees/shrubs with DBH ≥ 5cm and height were measured. Carbon stock was estimated using allometric equation and soil organic carbon was analyzed in the laboratory following Walkley Black method. The result of this study revealed that Sekele-Mariam forest had stored a total of 185.71 ton carbon/ha within its aboveground, belowground, litter biomasses and soil. The higher carbon stock in all carbon pools was found at the higher altitudinal range (2395-2460 m a.s.l.). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) result indicated that carbon stock between altitudinal gradient was not significant. The study area had smaller stock of carbon in its biomass and therefore, better forest conservation and management are the best strategy to enhance the carbon stock of the study area.
Highlights
Forests sequester and store more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem and are an important natural ‘brake’ on climate change [14]
This study showed that the mean carbon stock in all carbon pools exhibits an increasing trend with increasing altitudinal variation, the reason for this may be due to, disturbance level and species composition and density occurred in the altitudinal ranges
The largest carbon stock was found in the soil organic carbon followed by the aboveground biomass The carbon stock of the study area was smaller compared to other studies of similar forest type in Ethiopia
Summary
Forests sequester and store more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem and are an important natural ‘brake’ on climate change [14]. The carbon stored in the aboveground living biomass of trees is typically the largest carbon pool and is directly influenced by deforestation and forest degradation [16]. The forest resources play significant roles in the livelihoods of the community and the national economy at large. Their direct roles include provisions of energy, construction wood, poles, timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that are highly prized for their food, medicinal and commercial values [1]. Ethiopia’s forest resources have store 219 million ton of carbon in their living biomass [10]. The country is implementing a robust system for monitoring and measuring carbon emissions and removals to enable the country to report and verify actions on deforestation and forest degradation and other activities aiming to conserve, sustainably manage and increase forest carbon stocks [23]
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