Abstract
IntroductionForests form a major component of the carbon (C) reserves in the world’s ecosystems. However, little is known on how management influences C stocks of woody vegetation, particularly in dry areas. We developed regression models for two dominant tree species to predict C stocks and quantified the potential of community managed forests as C sinks.MethodsPlots were randomly selected from community-managed natural forest, herbivore exclosures, and from communal grazing land. Tree and shrub biomass were estimated using a regression model on the most dominant woody species while herbaceous biomass was determined using destructive sampling.ResultsThe simplest model, based on only one single predictor variable, showed a good fit to the data for both species (Juniperus procera and Acacia abyssinica). Diameter at breast height (r2 > 0.95) was a more reliable predictor than height (r2 > 0.54), crown diameter (r2 > 0.68) (p < 0.001). The C content of the total biomass for the managed natural forest and the exclosure were estimated as, 58.11 and 22.29 Mg ha−1, respectively, while that for the grazing land was 7.76 Mg ha−1, and the mean carbon content between the three land uses were significantly different (p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe conclude that forests managed by the community have a high potential for C sequestration and storage and their conservation should be promoted.
Highlights
Forests form a major component of the carbon (C) reserves in the world’s ecosystems
Biomass predictions through allometric equations The goodness of fit analysis for the models across both species indicated that the species-specific regression models relating biomass with selected dendrometric predictor variables were highly significant (p < 0.01)
Our models indicated that the most important single or set of predictor variable/s were represented by the diameter at breast height for both tree species, which are common across the highlands of Ethiopia (Aynekulu 2011)
Summary
Forests form a major component of the carbon (C) reserves in the world’s ecosystems. little is known on how management influences C stocks of woody vegetation, in dry areas. Forests form a major component of the carbon (C) reserves in the world’s ecosystems (Houghton 2007) Their ecosystem services (ESS) provide income from woody products, non-timber forest products, and fodder, and they play a crucial role in enabling sustainable livelihoods. Despite their wide reaching significance, current deforestation and land degradation are reducing the ability of forested land to support the delivery of these vital ESS (Bishaw 2001). Large-scale deforestation can lead to a reduction in local precipitation and an increase in land surface temperature (Defries et al 2002). Ethiopia’s deforestation and land degradation entail several socio-economic and environmental challenges that have strongly affected the capacity of forests to provide ecosystem services
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