Carbon stock potential of scattered trees on farmland along an altitudinal gradient in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

• Main Authors: Yikunoamlak Gebrewahid, Tewolde-Berhan Gebre-Egziabhier, Kassa Teka, Emiru Birhane
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2018-12-01
• Series: Ecological Processes
• Subjects: Aboveground biomass carbon; Belowground biomass carbon; Soil organic carbon; Total carbon stock
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13717-018-0152-6

Abstract Introduction Trees on agricultural landscape play a vital role in ecosystem services including food security that supports human livelihood. They can further offer synergy between adaptation and mitigation in addressing climate change impact. Understanding aboveground tree biomass and soil organic carbon stocks along the altitudinal gradient provide opportunities for better management of the carbon pools. However, little is known on how altitudinal gradient influences on carbon stock of woody biomass and soil of scattered trees on farmland, particularly in a dry area. Methods The study area were stratified in to five class (500–1000, 1000–1500, 1500–2000, 2000–2500, and 2500–3000 m a.s.l). Quadrats (100 m × 50 m) were randomly selected from each of stratified altitudinal gradients. At every sampling point, one composite soil sample was taken at 60 cm soil depth for soil organic carbon analysis. For the purpose of woody biomass estimation, allometric equations developed for a similar area were used. Finally, aboveground biomass carbon (AGC), belowground biomass carbon (BGC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and total carbon stock (TC) status were estimated and variables were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The result indicated that AGC, BGC, SOC, and TC varied significantly (p < 0.05) along with an altitudinal gradient. The upper altitude (2500–3000 m a.s.l) AGC, BGC, SOC, and TC stock was estimated as 17.97 Mg C ha−1, 6.53 Mg C ha−1, 23.09 Mg C ha−1, 47.59 Mg C ha−1 respectively, and significantly higher than the other altitudinal gradient. Conclusions We conclude that scattered trees on farmland hold a high potential of carbon storage which may greatly contribute to the climate resilience green economy strategy and their conservation should be promoted.