ISSN 2756-3367
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 3 (5), pp. 207-215, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effects of climate mitigation on carbon stocks of Hanang forest, Tanzania
Thomas O. Hasheem1*, Julius Bi kudude2, Jakaya Sumari Anna3 and Salma James Shija3
1Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3035, Morogoro, Tanzania.
2Department of Botany, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35091, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
3Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania.
Email: [email protected]
Accepted 10 July, 2016
Abstract
The study assessed carbon stocks of Hanang mountain forest, Tanzania. Thirty-four sample plots (40 × 50 m) were established along an altitudinal gradient. All trees with diameter at breast height ≥10 cm were identified and measured, and herb species and soil were sampled from four 1 × 1 m quadrats within 10 × 10 m subplots. Mean carbon stock was 48.37 and 0.26 t C ha-1 for tree and herb species, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was 64.2, 41.93 and 31.0 t C ha-1 in the upper, mid and lower layers, respectively. It was found that there was significant difference in tree carbon (p<0.05) along an altitudinal gradient. However there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in herbaceous carbon and SOC in the three layers along an altitudinal gradient. Tree carbon was low compared to other tropical areas where allometric models were employed. In contrast, SOC was high compared to other similar forests in the tropics. Anthropogenic threats will likely diminish the SOC hence conservation measures are needed.
Key words: Carbon, stocks, altitudinal gradient, soil organic carbon (SOC).