Contribution of some Savannah tree species in carbon sequestration

Abstract

Improvements in above ground biomass estimation can help account for changes in carbon stock in forest areas that may potentially participate in the clean development mechanism. The main objective of this study was to assess potential of some selected forest variables for modeling carbon sequestration for Combretum hartmannianum, Terminalia brownii, and Lanea fruitcosa. A total of 10 sample trees for Lanea fruitcosa and 8 sample trees for each of the other two species were selected for biomass and carbon determination were selected from El Nour Natural Forest Reserve of the Blue Nile State, Sudan. Data of diameter at breast height, total tree height, tree crown diameter, crown height, and upper stem diameters were measured. Then sample trees were felled and sectioned to their components and weighed. Subsamples were selected from each component for oven drying at 105 ˚C. Finally, allometric models were developed and the aboveground dry weight (dwt) and carbon sequestered per hector were calculated. The results presented biomass equations, biomass expansion factor and wood density that developed for the trees. In case of inventoried wood volume, corrections for biomass expansion factor and wood density value were done, and new values are suggested for use to convert wood volume to biomass estimates. The results also, indicate that diameter at breast height, crown diameter and tree height are good predictors for estimation of tree dwt and carbon stock. The developed allometric equations in this study gave better estimation of dwt than default value. The average carbon stock was found to be 22.57 t/ha.