Carbon Stock Estimation of Urban Trees in Yeka Park and KMU, Addis Ababa

Meseret Habtamu

doi:10.7176/jrdm/74-02

Abstract

Urban forests contribute to climate regulation by controlling GHG emissions. The objective of this study was to estimate the total carbon stock’s potential of the Yeka Park Kotebe Metropolitan University and their role in climate change mitigation and enhancement of ecosystem services. There were 4064 trees recorded in the selected study sites in which 27.41% of the species were indigenous and 72.59% were exotic trees. The mean above ground and below ground biomass were 160.8 and 69.93 t ha-1 respectively and the mean carbon in the above ground and below ground biomass were 75.56 and 51.75 t ha-1 respectively. The mean CO2 in the above ground and below ground biomass were 580 and 378.3 t ha-1 respectively. Urban trees reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide through sequestration which is important for climate change mitigation; they also provide different ecosystem services. Keywords: Carbon sequestration, urban forests, biodiversity conservation, Addis Ababa DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/74-02 Publication date: March 31 st 2021

Highlights

Urban forests are complex system of trees and smaller plants, wildlife, associated organisms, soil, water and air in and around the city
This study provides valuable information on the carbon stock potential of urban forests and ecosystem services in the study area
Materials and Methods Description of the study site This study covers the park that is found in Yeka sub city (Yeka Park) and the vegetation that covers Kotebe Metropolitan University (KMU) which are located in Addis Ababa

Summary

Introduction

Urban forests are complex system of trees and smaller plants, wildlife, associated organisms, soil, water and air in and around the city. Construction within the urban areas and conversion of different land use within the city and the surrounding urban areas has caused the rapid depletion of existing tree cover during the past 100 years This depletion of green resources has indicated that succeeding city governments had no proper long-term plans to keep the city green with the exception of intervening in some areas such as the establishment of a few parks and roadside plantations under a city beautification program. These interventions have diverse problems for sustainable management of the urban forest. This study provides valuable information on the carbon stock potential of urban forests and ecosystem services in the study area

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Methods

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Conclusion