Dataset Information

The effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Forests play an important role in mitigating global climate change by capturing and sequestering atmospheric carbon. Quantitative estimation of the temporal and spatial pattern of carbon storage in forest ecosystems is critical for formulating forest management policies to combat climate change. This study explored the effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in the Wujig Mahgo Waren forest, a dry Afromontane forest that covers an area of 17,000 ha in northern Ethiopia.

Results

The total carbon stocks of the Wujig Mahgo Waren forest ecosystems estimated using a multi-disciplinary approach that combined remote sensing with a ground survey were 1951, 1999, and 1955 GgC in 1985, 2000 and 2016 years respectively. The mean carbon stocks in the dense forests, open forests, grasslands, cultivated lands and bare lands were estimated at 181.78?±?27.06, 104.83?±?12.35, 108.77?±?6.77, 76.54?±?7.84 and 83.11?±?8.53 MgC ha^-1 respectively. The aboveground vegetation parameters (tree density, DBH and height) explain 59% of the variance in soil organic carbon.

Conclusions

The obtained estimates of mean carbon stocks in ecosystems representing the major land cover types are of importance in the development of forest management plan aimed at enhancing mitigation potential of dry Afromontane forests in northern Ethiopia.

SUBMITTER: Solomon N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6127076 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia.

Solomon Negasi N Pabi Opoku O Annang Ted T Asante Isaac K IK Birhane Emiru E

Carbon balance and management 20180906 1

<h4>Background</h4>Forests play an important role in mitigating global climate change by capturing and sequestering atmospheric carbon. Quantitative estimation of the temporal and spatial pattern of carbon storage in forest ecosystems is critical for formulating forest management policies to combat climate change. This study explored the effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in the Wujig Mahgo Waren forest, a dry Afromontane forest that covers an area of 17,000 ha in northern Eth ...[more]

PMID: 30191432

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Project description:BackgroundForests provide the largest terrestrial sink of carbon (C). However, these C stocks are threatened by forest land conversion. Land use change has global impacts and is a critical component when studying C fluxes, but it is not always fully considered in C accounting despite being a major contributor to emissions. An urgent need exists among decision-makers to identify the likelihood of forest conversion to other land uses and factors affecting C loss. To help address this issue, we conducted our research in California, Colorado, Georgia, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin. The objectives were to (1) model the probability of forest conversion and C stocks dynamics using USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data and (2) create wall-to-wall maps showing estimates of the risk of areas to convert from forest to non-forest. We used two modeling approaches: a machine learning algorithm (random forest) and generalized mixed-effects models. Explanatory variables for the models included ecological attributes, topography, census data, forest disturbances, and forest conditions. Model predictions and Landsat spectral information were used to produce wall-to-wall probability maps of forest change using Google Earth Engine.ResultsDuring the study period (2000-2017), 3.4% of the analyzed FIA plots transitioned from forest to mixed or non-forested conditions. Results indicate that the change in land use from forests is more likely with increasing human population and housing growth rates. Furthermore, non-public forests showed a higher probability of forest change compared to public forests. Areas closer to cities and coastal areas showed a higher risk of transition to non-forests. Out of the six states analyzed, Colorado had the highest risk of conversion and the largest amount of aboveground C lost. Natural forest disturbances were not a major predictor of land use change.ConclusionsLand use change is accelerating globally, causing a large increase in C emissions. Our results will help policy-makers prioritize forest management activities and land use planning by providing a quantitative framework that can enhance forest health and productivity. This work will also inform climate change mitigation strategies by understanding the role that land use change plays in C emissions.

Project description:BackgroundDry evergreen montane forests of Ethiopia provide economic and ecological services for the community but it is under several threats of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The study aimed to investigate the floristic composition, species diversity, and plant community distribution of Guard forest along environmental gradients.MethodsA systematic sampling technique was used to collect vegetation and environmental data. Fifty eight plots each with 400 m2 (20 m X 20 m) were established for trees and shrubs and 2 m x2m (4 m2) for herbs along eleven transect lines. Shannon Weiner diversity index and evenness were used to assess the species diversity and richness. The similarities among plant communities were computed using Sorenson's similarity index. The plant community types and vegetation-environment relationships were analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis and Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) in R software, respectively.ResultsA total of 137 plant species belonging to 111 genera and 55 families were identified. The most dominant families in the study area were Fabaceae and Asteraceae. Among the total plant species documented in the forest, 42(30.65%) were trees, 36 (26.28%) were shrubs, 48(35.04%) were herbs, and 11 (8.03%) were climbers. Of the total species, 14(10.22%) species are endemic to Ethiopia and Eritrea. Three plant community types were identified by cluster analysis. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index was 3.39 and evenness was 0.87 for the forest. The pattern of plant species distribution was significantly influenced by altitude, pH, BD, slope, and charcoal (P < 0.05).ConclusionGuard forest has good species diversity and richness, and supports different endemic plant species that show the potential of the area to support useful but some of the characteristics species are not found in the forest and others are rare in their existence due to the presence of disturbances and need immediate conservation to ensure sustainable use and management of the forest.

Dataset Information

The effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia.

Background

Results

Conclusions

Publications

The effects of land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia.

Similar Datasets

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