Floristic diversity, carbon storage and ecological services of eucalyptus agrosystems in Cameroon

Abstract

Although agrosystems are recognized for their socio-economic value, few works have been conducted to assign its sequestration potential and ecological services. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the ecological services of the eucalyptus stands in order to permit to small producers the access in carbon credit market. Three stands were selected according to age. Data were compared to that of a savannah (control). In total, 12,817 individuals belonging to 30 families, 53 genera and 70 species were identified in the plantations against 7107 individuals belonging to 24 families, 36 genera and 42 species in the savannah. Gmelina, Annona, Hymenocardia, Allophyllus, Daniellia, Terminalia and Piliostigma were the most represented genera. There was no significant difference between Savannah and plantations in terms of diversity (p > 0.05). The largest stock of carbon was found in oldest stands (108.51 ± 26.46 t C/ha) against 13.62 ± 3.03 t C/ha in Savannah. Eucalyptus saligna stored 39.66 t C/ha (4 t C ha−1year−1) in young stands; 57.28 t C/ha (6 t C ha−1year−1) in medium stands and 85.46 t C/ha (9 t C ha−1year−1) in old stands. The sequestration potential was higher in eucalyptus stands (398.25 t CO2eq/ha) than savannah (50.05 t CO2eq/ha). In total 956.82 t CO2eq/ha were sequestered for an economic value of $9568.45/ha against 50.05 t CO2eq/ha corresponding to $500.56/ha in Savannah. Eucalyptus stands are carbon sinks and could be an opportunity for financial benefits in the event of payment for environmental services in the context of the CDM process.