Variation in carbon concentration and wood density for five most commonly grown native tree species in central highlands of Ethiopia: The case of Chilimo dry Afromontane forest

Abstract

ABSTRACTInformation regarding carbon concentration and wood density are lacking in Chilimo dry Afromontane forest.The aim of this study was to estimate carbon concentration and wood density for Allophyllus abyssinicus, Olea europaea, Olinia rochetiana, Rhus glutinosa, and Scolopia theifolia. A total of 105, 30–50 mm thick wood discs were collected and oven dried at 102°C and 67°C to constant weight, chopped and finally grinded into 0.2 mm with a grinding mill. Carbon concentration was analyzed using the ash method, while wood density was estimated using the water displacement method. The highest carbon concentration (57.12%) was found for O. rochetiana, however, the lowest carbon concentration (56.43%) was found for A. abyssinicus. Stem parts had higher carbon concentration (56.98%) than branch (56.74%) and leave (54.53%) parts. O. europaea exhibited the highest wood density (0.67 g cm−3) value than other species. However, the lowest wood density (0.42 g cm−3) was exhibited for A. abyssinicus. Wood density was also showed a decreasing trend along with increases in stem height and maximum wood density (0.62 g cm−3) was found under stump position, while, the minimum wood density (0.4 g cm−3) was found under tree commercial height.