Abstract

ABSTRACT As the rate of forest degradation continues to rise, agroforestry may serve as a way of conserving species and carbon sinks. The aim of this study was to assess agrobiodiversity and carbon sequestration potential in agrosystems in Cameroon. Three age groups of agrosystems were studied. Data were collected in 100x50 m2 quadrates. Density ranged from 53.17±0.08 to 1463±50.11; basal area from 2.07±0.00 to 988.39±16.13 m2/ha; Shannon diversity from 3.3±0.71 to 3.68±0.72; Carbon storage from 12.1±0.27 to 54.65±1.38 t C/ha for 1-10-year-old agrosystems with lowest values in neem; 34.78±0.87 to 71.34±1.6 t C/ha for 10-20-year-old stands with lowest values in cashew; 28.24±0.04 to 108.51±2.46 t C/ha for +20-year-old stands with highest values in eucalyptus; Carbon sequestration potential from 296.7±1.98 to 859.33±10.01 t CO2eq/ha. The highest carbon stocks were found in eucalyptus stands (p<0.05). Several endogenous species, especially Afzelia bipindensis (EN), Leptoderris ledermannii (EN), Mansonia altissima (EN), Entandrophragma cylindricum (VU), Nesogordonia papaverifera (VU), Quassia sanguinea (VU), Vitellaria paradoxa (VU), Afzelia africana (VU), Erythrina senegalensis (LC), Detarium microcarpum (LC), senna spectabilis (LC), were assessed. Other overexploited species, especially Carissa edulis, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Adansonia digitata, Securidaca longepedonculata, were assessed as well. The studied systems are significant CO2eq sinks and refuge centre for agrobiodiversity.

Highlights

  • From the clauses agreed at CoP21 and CoP22, agrosystems can offer palliative solutions to the detrimental effects resulting from the deterioration of the climate system

  • Density ranged from 53.17±0.08 to 1463±50.11; basal area from 2.07±0.00 to 988.39±16.13 m2/ha; Shannon diversity from 3.3±0.71 to 3.68±0.72; Carbon storage from 12.1±0.27 to 54.65±1.38 t C/ha for 1-10-year-old agrosystems with lowest values in neem; 34.78±0.87 to 71.34±1.6 t C/ha for 10-20-year-old stands with lowest values in cashew; 28.24±0.04 to 108.51±2.46 t C/ha for +20-year-old stands with highest values in eucalyptus; Carbon sequestration potential from 296.7±1.98 to 859.33±10.01 t CO2eq/ha

  • In order to optimize the fight against climate change, the northern industrial countries should invest in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects put up by southern countries

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Summary

Introduction

From the clauses agreed at CoP21 and CoP22, agrosystems can offer palliative solutions to the detrimental effects resulting from the deterioration of the climate system. As part of the fight against climate change through mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, many African countries, and Cameroon, have signed and ratified treaties and conventions. These countries have validated their REDD+ preparation document through the Forest Carbon Partners Facility (FCPF) Participants Committee. In order to optimize the fight against climate change, the northern industrial countries should invest in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects put up by southern countries These projects aim at reducing emission of CO2, which in turn implies reception of “carbon credits” by southern countries. We have associated CDM sequestration component of CO2eq and REDD+

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