Differences In Carbon Stocks Research Articles

The potential of seagrass ecosystems in Waai and Liang coastal waters on Ambon Island as carbon storage sites

Seagrass ecosystem is one of the coastal ecosystems that can absorb carbon and subsequently store it at a high capacity. This research aimed to study carbon stocks in biomass based on seagrass type and density, differences in carbon stocks between below-ground and above-ground, and the potential for carbon storage of the seagrass ecosystem on the coast of Waai and Liang, Ambon Island. Five seagrass species species were found, including Enhalus acoroides, Halophila ovalis, Halodule pinifolia, Thalassia hemprichii and Cymodocea rotundata,. Based on the results, halassia hemprichii was predominant in Liang waters and Halodule pinifolia was predominant in Waai waters. The highest seagrass biomass in both the below ground and above ground was found for Cymodocea rotundata in Waai waters and Thalassia hemprichii in Liang waters. The total carbon stock in Liang waters was 39.75 gC/m2, whereas that in Waai waters was 56.46 gC/m2. The results showed that the total carbon stock below ground was much greater than above ground, suggesting that more carbon is stored below seagrass substrate than above it in both Waai and Liang coastal waters.

Quantifying the role of saltmarsh as a vulnerable carbon sink: A case study from Northern Portugal

Saltmarshes play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and storage, although they are increasingly threatened by climate change-induced sea level rise (SLR). This study assessed the potential variation in Blue Carbon stocks across regional and local scales, and estimated their economic value and potential habitat loss due to SLR based on the IPCC AR6 scenarios for 2050 and 2100 in three estuarine saltmarshes in northern Portugal, the saltmarshes of the Minho, Lima and Cávado estuaries. The combined carbon stock of these saltmarshes was 38,798 ± 2880 t of organic carbon, valued at 3.96 ± 0.38 M€. Local and regional differences in carbon stocks were observed between common species, with the cordgrass Spartina patens and the reed Phragmites australis consistently showing higher values in the Lima saltmarsh in some of the parameters. Overall, the Lima saltmarsh had the highest total carbon per species cover, with S. patens showing the highest values among common species. Bolboschoenus maritimus had the highest values in the Minho saltmarsh, while the other species presented a similar carbon storage capacity. Potential habitat loss due to SLR was most evident in the Cávado saltmarsh over shorter timescales, with a significant risk of inundation even for median values of SLR, while the Lima saltmarsh was shown to be more resistant and resilient. If habitat loss directly equates to carbon loss within these saltmarshes, projected CO2 emissions may range from 22,000 to 43,449 t by 2050 and 33,000 to 130,000 t by 2100 (under the IPCC SSP5–8.5 scenario). The study shows the importance of Blue Carbon site-specific estimates, acknowledging the potential future repercussions from habitat loss due to SLR. It emphasizes the need to consider local and regional variability in Blue Carbon stocks assessments and highlights the critical importance of preserving and rehabilitating these ecosystems to ensure their continued efficacy as vital carbon sinks, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

Driving model of land use change on the evolution of carbon stock: a case study of Chongqing, China.

Terrestrialecosystems are significant carbon sinks and are crucial for understanding the regional and global carbon cycles, energy flow, and climate change. As land use change is a significant process affecting ecosystem carbon stocks and striving for land degradation neutrality (LDN), studying it is essential for comprehending the evolution of regional carbon sink functions and achieving sustainable development goals. The drastically diverse land use patterns in each of the study area's regions resulted in significant differences in carbon stock. This study explores the evolution traits of carbon stocks based on land use data and their driving mechanisms in Chongqing during the past 30 years by using spatial analysis, the InVEST model, and geographic probes. The results demonstrate that from 1990 to 2020, land degradation in Chongqing was made worse by the demand for land for construction land, but the strategy of converting cropland back to forests raised the carbon stock of forest land. The overall result is a decrease in total carbon stocks of 5.1078 Tg or 1.5%. The main pathway for carbon loss pathway in the evolution of carbon stock is the conversion of cropland to construction land, and the primary carbon compensation pathway is the conversion of grassland and cropland to forest land, with a spatial distribution characterized by "higher in the whole area and obvious local differences." The land use intensity index has the most significant influence on the evolution of carbon stock. Moreover, the interaction of pairwise factors played a more important role in affecting the evolution of carbon stocks than did each factor individually. The case study in this paper shows that land use change is a significant driving mechanism for the evolution of carbon stock, and the development of a driving model theory is appropriate for deciphering the trajectory of carbon stock evolution and offering research suggestions for other regions.

The impact of land cover change on the carbon stock of moist afromontane forests in the Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve

BackgorundForest plays an important role in the global carbon cycle by sequestering carbon dioxide and thereby mitigating climate change. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effects of land use/land cover (LULC) change (1989–2017) on carbon stock and its economic values in tropical moist Afromontane forests of the Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve (MFBR), south-west Ethiopia. Systematic sampling was conducted to collect biomass and soil data from 140 plots in MFBR. The soil data were collected from grassland and farmland. InVEST modelling was employed to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of carbon stocks. Global Voluntary Market Price (GVMP) and Tropical Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) analysis was performed to estimate economic values (EV) of carbon stock dynamics. Correlation and regression analyses were also employed to identify the relationship between environmental and anthropogenic impacts on carbon stocks.ResultsThe results indicated that the above-ground carbon and soil organic carbon stocks were higher than the other remaining carbon pools in MFBR. The mean carbon stock (32.59 M tonne) in 2017 was lower than in 1989 (34.76 Mt) of MFBR. Similarly, the EV of carbon stock in 2017 was lower than in 1989. Elevation, slope, and harvesting index are important environmental and disturbance factors resulting in major differences in carbon stock among study sites in MFBR.ConclusionsTherefore, the gradual reduction of carbon stocks in connection with LULC change calls for urgent attention to implement successful conservation and sustainable use of forest resources in biosphere reserves.

Young mixed planted forests store more carbon than monocultures—a meta-analysis

Although decades of research suggest that higher species richness improves ecosystem functioning and stability, planted forests are predominantly monocultures. To determine whether diversification of plantations would enhance aboveground carbon storage, we systematically reviewed over 11,360 publications, and acquired data from a global network of tree diversity experiments. We compiled a maximum dataset of 79 monoculture to mixed comparisons from 21 sites with all variables needed for a meta-analysis. We assessed aboveground carbon stocks in mixed-species planted forests vs. (a) the average of monocultures, (b) the best monoculture, and (c) commercial species monocultures, and examined potential mechanisms driving differences in carbon stocks between mixtures and monocultures. On average, we found that aboveground carbon stocks in mixed planted forests were 70% higher than the average monoculture, 77% higher than commercial monocultures, and 25% higher than the best performing monocultures, although the latter was not statistically significant. Overyielding was highest in four-species mixtures (richness range 2–6 species), but otherwise none of the potential mechanisms we examined (nitrogen-fixer present vs. absent; native vs. non-native/mixed origin; tree diversity experiment vs. forestry plantation) consistently explained variation in the diversity effects. Our results, predominantly from young stands, thus suggest that diversification could be a very promising solution for increasing the carbon sequestration of planted forests and represent a call to action for more data to increase confidence in these results and elucidate methods to overcome any operational challenges and costs associated with diversification.

Do Managed Hill Sal (Shorea robusta) Community Forests of Nepal Sequester and Conserve More Carbon than Unmanaged Ones?

Nepalese community forests are globally recognized for sustainable forest management and improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, but their contribution to carbon sequestration in trees and soil is rarely studied. This study was performed to understand the effect of management practices on carbon stock of two community forests (CFs) - Taldanda (managed) and Dangdunge (unmanaged) - dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta) in the mid-hills of Nepal. Twenty-one concentric sample plots, each of 250 m2, were laid out in each forest to estimate different carbon pools and a stratified random sampling intensity of 0.5% used to collect data. Results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in above and below-ground biomass and carbon sequestration potential between the two CFs. The managed and unmanaged forests had total carbon stock of 269.3±27.4 and 150.0±22.7 ton/ha, respectively, demonstrating 1.79 times higher carbon stock in the former than the latter. The managed forest had significantly (p<0.05) greater mean soil organic carbon (SOC) stock than the unmanaged forest. The SOC was highest in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm), with a steady decrease as the soil depth increased. All other measured carbon pools values were higher in managed compared to unmanaged forest. The difference in carbon stock was due to the manipulation of different forest management activities, including thinning, timber extraction, fire control, grazing, and fuel wood/fodder extraction. The study suggests that the implementation of proper forest management would be necessary for enhancing carbon stock in forest trees and soils.

Implications of changes in land use on soil and biomass carbon sequestration: a case study from the Owabi reservoir catchment in Ghana

Land use changes affect soil and biomass carbon sequestration potential of the agroecosystems of most Sub-Sahara Africa facing rising temperatures due to global climate change. One such ecosystem is the Owabi reservoir catchment in Ghana, which has undergone extensive changes in land use through urbanization. Our study aimed to determine the impact of the spatial and temporal variability of the different land uses on soil and biomass carbon storage in the Owabi catchment. Land use/cover maps were elaborated using SPOT satellite images of 30 × 30-m resolution and Erdas Imagine and ArcGIS Pro softwares. Soil and vegetation were sampled along three transects in the Y plane in early 2014. Nested plot design and temporary sample plots of 50 × 50 m were demarcated within a 1 ha plot in each of the land uses. Trees, herbs and litter were sampled to assess aboveground carbon, and soil samples were taken at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depth. Belowground (root) biomass was calculated using the root:shoot ratio. Seven (7) land use types – dense forest, sparse forest, grassland, cropland, wetland, settlement, and excavated land – were identified and differences in carbon stocks were assessed. Soil carbon stock (0–30 cm) ranged from 51.80 Mg/ha in dense forest to 7.00 Mg/ha in excavated land. Our study showed that the conversion of forest lands to other land uses through excavation resulted in about 30-folds loss in carbon and also a major loss of carbon in the catchment from c. 1.4 × 106 Mg C in 1990 to 0.55 × 106 Mg C in 2014. Enhancing forests or growing trees to sequester carbon seems to be the optimum choice among the seven land uses if the introduction of payment for environmental services options is considered.

Impact of removal of rubber plantations for urbanization on CO2 mitigating capacity by the loss of carbon sink in Kerala state, India

Mitigating climate change and global warming through carbon sequestration by tree ecosystems is of prime importance since they are cost-effective, environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable. Urbanization is a part of development, and rubber plantations are usually removed for this purpose, especially in Kerala, the southern state of India. Besides latex, the economic produce, and the associated income, the rubber tree is a fairly good sink for carbon in its biomass, with an average carbon content of 42 per cent and substantial carbon stock in the soil. In the present study, an account of total carbon loss by the removal of rubber plantation for urbanization and developmental activities are given. The present popular clone (RRII 105) existing in major share (85%) of the total rubber cultivation in India accounts for carbon sink loss 57 t ha-1, 57.5 t ha-1, 43.2 t ha-1 for 23 years and 148 t ha-1, 75 t ha-1 and 62.1 t ha-1 for 30 years from biomass, litterfall and sheet rubber respectively. The recent clones RRII 414, RRII 429 and RRII 417 have higher growth rates and higher biomass (44-50 per cent) carbon sink loss compared to the existing popular clone RRII 105. The carbon sink loss in the form of stored carbon in soil is 56.5, with a soil carbon content between 1.2 to 2 per cent. Due to the growth variation in diverse environments with extreme climatic conditions, the clones recorded differences in carbon stock and carbon sink loss. The central region of Kerala showed a higher loss, and a lower loss was in the drought-affected northern region than the southern region. The total carbon sink losses for 23 and 30 years were 214.2 and 341.5 t ha-1, respectively. This study points out that the serious carbon sink loss due to the removal of rubber plantations results in disturbing the self-sustained, carbon-friendly and economically sound perennial rubber ecosystem. Vegetation having higher C-sequestration potential and trees with higher lignin content is essential to increase carbon capture for mitigating the impact of the removal of plantations. From the present study, it is clear that the removal of rubber plantations is affecting the carbon sink loss, thereby the CO2 mitigating capacity, and is a serious matter of concern.

Carbon Sequestration of Fruit Trees under Contrasting Management Regimes

This study aimed at establishing the potential of fruit trees in carbon sequestration. The specific objectives were to establish the carbon stocks in fruit trees compare the potential of carbon stocks in citrus and mango trees and examine the relationship between the management practices and carbon stocks in fruit trees. At the farm level, plots were identified and transects established and individual fruit trees from sampled individual farms along the transect were selected. At the tree level, measurements of tree height and diameter at breast height were made. They were converted to biomass using allometric equations. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the differences in carbon stocks between the fruit trees and between the different management practices. Findings revealed higher biomass and carbon stocks in mango trees as compared to citrus (74.57 ± 14.95 and 13.52 ± 1.25 t/ha respectively). Significant differences are also reported in carbon stocks under different management practices (p < 0.05). Irrespective of the species type, above-ground carbon under different management practices followed the order (from highest to lowest): Inorganic fertilizer < Intercrop < Monocrop < organic fertilizer and irrigation < intercrop and inorganic fertilizer. The results also point out that mango fruits have a high potential to sequestrate carbon emissions hence mitigating global warming.

Sustaining Carbon Storage: Lessons from Hemiboreal Old-Growth Coniferous and Deciduous Forest Stands

AbstractFor the last three decades, the area of old-growth forest stands in Europe has continued to increase as has their importance in achieving forest-related policy goals. This has triggered an increase in research interest in old-growth forests, both from climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection perspectives. However, carbon stock in old-growth stands in European hemiboreal forests had not been systematically studied. Therefore, in this article, we characterize differences in carbon stock between mature and old-growth stands on fertile mineral soils in hemiboreal Latvia to contribute to the understanding of carbon storage changes under different management strategies for forest lands. Carbon stock varied significantly both between old-growth stands of different dominant tree species and between mature (1.9–2.3 times younger) and old-growth stages of the same dominant species in forest stands. The carbon stock of tree biomass and deadwood was larger in old-growth stands, but their mean annual carbon stock change was significantly lower than in mature stands (27% to 47% depending on dominant tree species). Old-growth stands can serve as carbon reservoirs in areas with limited natural disturbances; however, for maintenance of climate neutrality, it is essential to expand the area of managed stands with larger annual carbon stock increase.Study Implications: Forest ecosystems play a major role in regulation of global climate: They can store high quantities of carbon and also can gain or lose it rather quickly. For the last three decades, the area of old-growth forest stands in Europe has continued to increase as has their importance in achieving forest-related policy goals. Old-growth forests can represent the baseline carbon-carrying capacity in particular conditions. Therefore, we characterized differences in carbon stock between mature and old-growth stands on fertile mineral soils in hemiboreal Latvia to contribute to the understanding of carbon storage and for planning forest management activities.

Mapping tropical forest functional variation at satellite remote sensing resolutions depends on key traits

Although tropical forests differ substantially in form and function, they are often represented as a single biome in global change models, hindering understanding of how different tropical forests will respond to environmental change. The response of the tropical forest biome to environmental change is strongly influenced by forest type. Forest types differ based on functional traits and forest structure, which are readily derived from high resolution airborne remotely sensed data. Whether the spatial resolution of emerging satellite-derived hyperspectral data is sufficient to identify different tropical forest types is unclear. Here, we resample airborne remotely sensed forest data at spatial resolutions relevant to satellite remote sensing (30 m) across two sites in Malaysian Borneo. Using principal component and cluster analysis, we derive and map seven forest types. We find ecologically relevant variations in forest type that correspond to substantial differences in carbon stock, growth, and mortality rate. We find leaf mass per area and canopy phosphorus are critical traits for distinguishing forest type. Our findings highlight the importance of these parameters for accurately mapping tropical forest types using space borne observations.

Качество древесного опада как информативный индикатор функциональной классификации лесов

Relevance and goals. In the context of global climate change, the climate-regulating function of forests deserves special attention. There is still no functional classification of forests according to the effectiveness of their carbon storage function. The purpose of this article is to discuss an approach to such classification based on the assessment of the quality of tree litter. Objects and methods. To test the approach to the identification of functional types of forests (FTL) based on the quality of tree litter, taking into account the position in the landscape and the mechanical composition of soil-forming rocks, data on soils and vegetation obtained at 23 sites operating in the subzone of coniferous-broadleaf forests of the European part of Russia on the territory of Bryansk Polesie and Moskvoretsko-Okskaya plain were used. For indirect (on the ecological scale of E. Landolt using the SpeDiv program) to assess differences in the soil richness of forests belonging to different FTLS, the species composition of 160 descriptions of forest vegetation of the Moscow, Bryansk, Smolensk, Kostroma regions, Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Adygea (North-Western Caucasus) was analyzed. Results. Examples of functional forest types (FTL) for coniferous and broad-leaved forests of the European part of Russia are given. The differences in the level of soil carbon accumulation between different FTLS are shown, and a preliminary assessment of the influence of the position in the landscape and the mechanical composition of soils on the accumulation of carbon in soils within FTLS is given. Conclusion. Based on the quality of the fall of tree litter, 15 FTL were identified, which are confirmed by examples based on geobotanical descriptions of forest communities common in the zone of coniferous-deciduous forests of the European part of Russia and in the belt of coniferous-deciduous forests of the North-Western Caucasus. The validity of the allocation of FTL for the efficiency of carbon accumulation in soils based on the quality of plant litter, taking into account the influence of “external factors” (the position in the landscape and the mechanical composition of soil-forming rocks) is confirmed by data obtained at 23 sites; estimates of the carbon reserves in the soil, as well as the soil richness estimated on an ecological scale, revealed differences between the allocated FTLS. Differences in carbon stocks in forest ecosystems in the same FTL formed on loamy and sandy loam soil-forming rocks were revealed. Differences in soil carbon reserves in forests belonging to the same FTL, but formed at different positions in the landscape, have been confirmed; in transit landscapes, soil carbon reserves are higher than in autonomous ones.

Comparative Assessment of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Agroforestry Systems in Kogi East Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the below ground carbon sequestration (soil carbon stock per unit land area) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from agroforestry systems (AFSs) in Kogi East (Ankpa, Dekina, Ofu, Olamaboro, and Omala local government areas) Nigeria. Stratified random sampling was used to select study locations of the agroforestry systems in Kogi East, Nigeria. Four AFSs were selected in each local government area (LGA) - this consisted majorly of smallholder farmer’s farm with silvoarable systems in the region (4 communities per LGA, total of 20 communities). The selection criteria for AFS was based on farm size not less than 1 hectare. The results from the analysis revealed that highest soil carbon stock [C stock (Mg Cha-1)] was recorded from AFSs in Dekina (334.43 Mg Cha-1) while no significant difference in carbon stock was observed from the soils of AFSs in Ankpa, Ofu, Olamaboro, and Omala LGAs (69.01, 159.21, 142.58, 117.33 Mg Cha-1 respectively). Nonetheless, the soils from AFSs in Dekina LGA had highest CO2 emissions followed by Ofu LGA (186.23 and 159.40 gCO2 emitted/50g wet soil slice respectively) while the lowest CO2 emissions (104.15 and 88.88 gCO2 emitted/50g wet soil slice) were recorded from Ankpa and Omala LGAs respectively. The highest carbon sequestration recorded from soils of AFSs in Dekina LGA may depend on the soil C input and soil stabilization processes including tree species and density and again highest CO2 emissions from the same Dekina LGA can be attributed to the coarse texture of the soils as coarse soils are considerably more susceptible to releasing their carbon. On the other hand, the absence of variation in CO2 emission levels in some of the locations studied can be attributed to similar land management practices like tillage, bush burning and soil fertility management.

Geoprocessing Applied to the Assessment of Carbon Storage and Sequestration in a Brazilian Medium-Sized City

The emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) is a cause for concern when seeking sustainable development in view of global warming. The multiple ecosystem services associated with land use and land cover are at the center of the global climate agenda, both as a mitigation and adaptation strategy to climate change and growing urbanization. Among these services is carbon storage and sequestration (CSS). It can remove GHG carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the form of organic matter, a natural carbon stock. Thus, to design projects that guarantee sustainable development, it is necessary to use metrics that can quantify the impact of sequestration on natural carbon stocks. We aimed to implement the InVEST CSS methodology in the region of Itaperuna-RJ (Brazil) to quantify the net change in carbon storage over time (sequestration and loss) between 2015 and 2020. The obtained total difference in carbon stocks between the analyzed maps was −39,103.56 × 103 kg C, which has an equivalent social cost of carbon of USD 16,559,187.69. This social value represents the social damage caused by releasing that amount of carbon into the atmosphere. This main result brings an important application for validating the InVEST CSS methodology in Brazil. Furthermore, it points out parameters that can help elaborate sustainable development policies.

Estimation of above-ground biomass and carbon stock of tree species in public parks of Bhubaneswar, Odisha

ABSTRACT Cities play important roles in the conservation of global biodiversity and climate change mitigation, particularly through the planning and management of urban green spaces. Bhubaneswar is a rapidly urbanising city and is witnessing a decline in its green status. This study aims to understand the current species composition and structure in selected urban parks. These urban parks are also reservoirs of carbon stock; and the study estimates park biomass and biomass carbon stocks. We documented 48 species belonging to 44 genera and 22 families in this study. The population structure in the parks revealed that most of the parks lacks trees in the sapling category and hence the regeneration potential is lacking. This may be because of the plantation of various tree species in different planting years. We found the carbon stock ranging from 13.48 Mg in an area of 0.22 ha in SV Park, to 479.49 Mg in an area of 8.91 ha in BP Park. On average, we estimated the biomass per ha to be 32.85 Mg. The difference in carbon stock among the considered parks result from difference in park size, species composition, and structure. Local authorities can use the current assessment of species composition and carbon stock to safeguard the existing trees and prioritise the planting effort in these urban parks.

Carbon Stocks in Miombo Woodlands: Evidence from over 50 Years

Miombo woodlands are extensive dry forest ecosystems in central and southern Africa covering ≈2.7 million km2. Despite their vast expanse and global importance for carbon storage, the long-term carbon stocks and dynamics have been poorly researched. The objective of this paper was to present and summarize the evidence gathered on aboveground carbon (AGC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks of miombo woodlands from the 1960s to mid-2018 through a literature review. We reviewed the data to find out to what extent aboveground carbon and soil organic carbon stocks are found in miombo woodlands and further investigated if are there differences in carbon stocks based on woodland categories (old-growth, disturbed and re-growth). A review protocol was used to identify 56 publications from which quantitative data on AGC and SOC stocks were extracted. We found that the mean AGC in old-growth miombo (45.8 ± 17.8 Mg C ha−1), disturbed miombo (26.7 ± 15 Mg C ha−1), and regrowth miombo (18.8 ± 16.8 Mg C ha−1) differed significantly. Data on rainfall, stand age, and land-use suggested that the variability in aboveground carbon is site-specific, relating to climatic and geographic conditions as well as land-use history. SOC stocks in both old-growth and re-growth miombo were found to vary widely. It must be noted these soil data are provided only for information; they inconsistently refer to varying soil depths and are thus difficult to interpret. The wide range reported suggests a need for further studies which are much more systematic in method and reporting. Other limitations of the dataset include the lack of systematic sampling and lack of data in some countries, viz. Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Carbon Stock and Soil Characteristics under Expansive Shrubs in the Dry Afromontane Forest in Northern Ethiopia

Increased presence of expansive plant species could bring about various ecological influences on biomass carbon, soil organic carbon, and the physical and chemical properties of the soils. However, their impacts on these ecological parameters could differ due to a wide range of life forms, plant communities of the invaded ecosystems, and abiotic conditions. This work was conducted to examine the impacts of Cadia purpurea and Tarchonanthus camphoratus cover on carbon stock in vegetation and soil and soil physicochemical properties in Desa’a forest, northern Ethiopia. Vegetation and soil data were collected from a total of 150 sampling plots (size 20 m × 20 m) from uninvaded and invaded vegetation conditions. The soil samples were collected from topsoil (0–15 and 15–30 cm) of the uninvaded and invaded vegetation conditions. The statistical difference in carbon stock and soil characteristics P < 0.05 of both invaded and uninvaded vegetation conditions were tested using an independent t-test using an R-software. The mean above- and below-ground biomass carbon stocks of the uninvaded vegetation condition (17.62 Mg·C/ha and 4.14 Mg·C/ha, respectively) were found to be significantly higher than those of the invaded vegetation condition (4.73 Mg·C/ha and 1.11 Mg·C/ha, respectively). The mean soil organic carbons (SOC) were significantly higher P < 0.01 in the uninvaded (122.83 Mg·C/ha) than in the invaded (90.13 Mg·C/ha) vegetation condition. The total carbon stock estimates were significantly higher P < 0.01 in the uninvaded vegetation condition (144.59 Mg·C/ha) than in the invaded vegetation condition (95.97 Mg·C/ha). Furthermore, the result revealed that most of the soil characteristics were significantly lower P < 0.05 under the expansive shrubs invaded vegetation conditions except for significantly high sand content P < 0.05 . Silt, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, copper, and zinc did not significantly change with the cover of the expansive shrubs. Our results suggest that increased presence of the expansive species decreased carbon trapping and affected most of the soil nutrients within the forest. Hence, to enhance the carbon storage potential and to maintain the soil nutrient status of the forest, proper conservation, monitoring, and management of the existing PNV and controlling a further expansion of the expansive shrubs are required. Further studies will be required on the factors responsible for the difference in carbon stocks and soil nutrients in each vegetation condition in addition to the impacts of the expansive shrubs expansion.

Could patterns of animal behaviour cause the observed differences in soil carbon between adjacent irrigated and unirrigated pastures?

Previous soil sampling from grazed pastures in New Zealand compared the changes of soil organic carbon (SOC) in adjacent irrigated and unirrigated portions of the same paddocks. It showed that irrigated portions had lower SOC stocks than unirrigated portions, with an average difference of 7.0 tC ha−1 or 0.6 tC ha−1 yr−1. These findings have formed the basis of an assessment for the net effect of conversion of New Zealand's grazed pastures to irrigation. However, since cattle could move freely between irrigated and unirrigated portions of the studied paddocks, there could have been different grazing intensities and/or excreta transfer between the irrigated and unirrigated portions of the same paddocks. Both these factors could have affected SOC stocks. In this study, we used the process-based model, CenW, to simulate the consequences of this possible carbon transfer via animal excreta and different grazing intensities. We found that the observed increase of 0.6 tC ha−1 yr−1 in SOC stock in the unirrigated portions could result from a transfer of 20% excreta from the irrigated to unirrigated portions (with an area ratio of 6:1) of a paddock and with the unirrigated portions being grazed only lightly with 2.0 tDM ha−1 in foliage biomass residuals remaining after grazing. That means that the observed higher SOC stocks in the unirrigated portions could potentially be attributable to the behaviour of grazing animals. We suggest that a realistic extent of carbon transfer and/or differences in grazing intensities could be sufficient to account for the observed differences in SOC stocks even if irrigation per se caused no differences in carbon stocks. It is therefore inappropriate to ascribe the change of SOC to irrigation effects based on experimental findings where SOC changes can be affected by the behaviour of grazing animals.

Exploring urban tree diversity and carbon stocks in Zaria Metropolis, North Western Nigeria

Urbanization is a pressing issue of concern especially in Africa where it is expected to continue and increasingly, threaten the efficiency of natural carbon sinks and sustainability of cities. This paper assessed the diversity and carbon storage of trees in Zaria metropolis, North-western Nigeria through fieldwork and allometric equations. A total of 200 assessment plots were randomly generated using Idrisi Terrset software. Quadrats of 30 × 30 m dimension were established and all trees, ≥5 cm diameter were identified and enumerated. Diameter was measured at breast height while tree height was measured with Suunto clinometer. The study recorded 836 stems, belonging to 51 species in 21 families. Species diversity and evenness were considerably high (H’ = 3.30, J = 0.8) with more exotic than native stems. The trees stored 657.05t carbon with the highest proportion contributed by Azadirachta indica, Mangifera indica and Khaya senegalensis. One-way ANOVA revealed significant difference in tree diameter (p < 0.020), basal area (p < 0.008) and height (p < 0.001) across the different land use/cover types but no significant difference in carbon stock (p > 0.657). This study demonstrates the contribution of urban trees in reducing global atmospheric carbon which largely varies with tree species and diameter.

ANALISIS POTENSI CADANGAN KARBON UNTUK PENGELOLAAN HUTAN DI TAMAN WISATA ALAM DANAU BUYAN-DANAU TAMBLINGAN

Taman Wisata Alam (TWA) Danau Buyan-Danau Tamblingan one of the forest ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity. The information about carbon stocks stored at the surface of the soil is very important to know in order to improvements can be made to the cultivation technique, plant type selection, and right forest management to maintain and increase carbon stocks. The study aimed: calculating and knowing the factors behind the difference carbon stocks above ground level, litter, and soil at Buyan Lake forest and Tamblingan Lake forest and formulating management strategy of TWA Danau Buyan-Danau Tamblingan for supports increased forest carbon stocks. Whereases the measurements carbon stock at medium, low and high density. To formulate management directives used the SWOT analysis. The result of this study is: carbon stocks in above ground level, litter and soil at Buyan Lake forest smaller than Tamblingan Lake forest, with the following details Buyan Lake forest, was: 613.03 ton/ha, 62.56 ton/ha and 125.443 ton/ha whereas Tamblingan Lake forest was: 768.93 ton/ha, 105.26 ton/ha and 360.711 ton/ha, factors causing differences in carbon stocks at Buyan Lake forest and Tamblingan Lake Forest is the variety of plants that dominate and the human activity. Management strategy of TWA is: provide assistance to the community to proposing Izin Pengusahaan Pariwisata Alam (IPPA), facilitated indigenous villages to gain recognition of customary forests and formulated awig-awig as local wisdom in management of TWA Danau Buyan-Danau Tamblingan.&#x0D; Keywords: Carbon stock; Forest management strategies; analysis SWOT; TWA Danau Buyan Danau Tamblingan.