ISSN 2375-0979
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 304-312, August, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An estimate of the biomass and carbon pools of a Miombo woodland ecosystem in Southern Tanzania
Mizengo Chande Pinda
Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 19 May, 2017
Abstract
Inventory and monitoring of existing carbon pools in ecosystems is important for establishment of baselines for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) as well as understanding the global carbon budget. We used tree dimensions to quantify the carbon pools of two sites in Miombo woodlands of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Mean above ground carbon density of the Miombo ecosystem was 19.2t ha-1. Of the total carbon, 40 and 60% was contributed by stems and branches respectively. Different species contributed differently to carbon stocks in these ecosystems with Brachystegia spiciformis and Julbernardia globiflora contributing the most. The estimated carbon stocks in this ecosystem is within the range observed in dry forests elsewhere though they are in their early stages of regeneration after extensive exploitation pressure. Under proper management there is a tremendous capacity for carbon storage in these Miombo woodlands to mitigate carbon emissions. Since Miombo species tend to invest much in roots an assessment of below ground carbon in roots can add to the carbon storage potential of these ecosystems. Evaluation of the root and soil carbon in these ecosystems is important in determining the full potential of these ecosystems to act as carbon sink.
Key words: Miombo woodlands, biomass, carbon, reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, emission mitigation, climate change.