Abstract
Trees in agroforestry systems are potential sinks of atmospheric carbon (C) due to their fast growth, productivity, high and long-term biomass C stock. Soil under forest and agroforestry also plays a major role in global C sequestration. This study was initiated to assess woody species and soil C sequestration of traditional agroforestry practices. Three study sites (namely: Buriketu, Chire and Erba) were systematically selected based on the presence of traditional agroforestry practices. Forty eight sample quadrats (16 quadrats in each site) having an area of 20m x 20m (400 m 2 ) were used for vegetation biomass estimation. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was sampled by using “X” design at depths of 0-30cm within each quadrats. Woody species biomass carbon stocks were estimated using an allometry equation of Y (Kg) = 34.4703 - 8.0671 DBH + 0.6589 DBH 2 . The types of agroforestry practices found in the study area are scattered trees in farm lands (parkland agroforestry), homegarden and live fence system. The mean AGBC stock showed an increasing trend from DBH ≥ 5 cm to 71 cm while a decreasing trend was noticed greater than 71 cm diameter classes. The mean carbon stocks (Means±Std) of different carbon pools in the indigenous agroforestry practice were 47.82±10.09, 11.96±2.52, 59.77±12.61, 150.61±6.9, 210.39±14.1 for AGBC stock, BGBC stock, TBC stock, SOC and TCSD, respectively. CO 2 assimilation by total biomass of woody species ≥ 5cm DBH in traditional agroforestry practices was estimated to be 219.15ton/ha. Estimation of CO 2 sequestration indicated that indigenous agroforestry practices of the area have been sequestered (772.02 ton/ha). The results of the present study confirmed that indigenous agroforestry practice play a major role in climate change mitigation. This study was focused on the biomass carbon stock of woody species ≥5 cm DBH, however, woody species <5cm DBH, dead wood, dead standing trees, fallen branches and litter-fine woody debris were also have a potential for C stock, thus further study on these components is recommended to provide reliable information. Keywords Biomass carbon, Ecosystem services , Global warming, Soil organic carbon. DOI : 10.7176/JEES/9-5-03 Publication date :May 31 st 2019
Highlights
Agroforestry land use system provides various ecosystem services
Indigenous agroforestry practice The types of agroforestry practices found in the study area are scattered trees in farm lands, homegardens and live fence system
Trees dominated in the indigenous agroforestry practice are fruit trees and trees for live fence
Summary
Agroforestry land use system provides various ecosystem services. Some of the benefits are diversification of household income, fiber, food and energy to local communities and provides cultural services such as agrotourism, aesthetic values and education (Negash 2013). Agroforestry provides regulating services such as soil conservation, watershed protection, pest control and sinks for carbon and thereby contributing to the mitigation of global climate change (IPCC 2000; Albrecht and Kandji 2003). In Dellomenna District (the study area), farmers have been practicing integration of trees, crops and livestock components in their lands. These indigenous agroforestry practices constitute perennial and herbaceous plants that can promote biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and socioeconomic alternatives to the local communities. This study was initiated to investigate extent of woody species and soil carbon stocks in indigenous agroforestry practices with particular emphasis on their contribution to climate change mitigation
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