Assessment of carbon sequestration potentials in some forest ecosystems: Aboveground, belowground and soil carbon stocks in the three ecological zones of Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the carbon sequestration potentials of forest ecosystems in Taraba State, Nigeria, by quantifying aboveground, belowground, and soil carbon stocks across three ecological zones. A multistage sampling technique was employed for the study in which three Forest Reserves were purposively selected from three Local Government Areas of Taraba state. Nigerian Montane Forest (NM) in Ngel-Nyaki, Sardauna LGA; Dakka Forest Reserve (SG) in Bali LGA and Manang-Lakware (NG) Forest Reserve in Yorro LGA selected. In each of the Forest Reserve two lines transect, 400m long, were laid 100m apart, and four (4) sample plots of 50m x 50m were established 50m apart in an alternate pattern along each transect. All trees within the sample plots were identified and enumerated. Mean trees within each plot were determined and grouped into large, medium and small diameter classes. Soil carbon stock was estimated in the laboratory using Walkley- Black method.The results of the study in Nigerian Montane showed that, the carbon sequestration potentials was 220.9433Kg/ha, above and belowground biomass (AGB-C and BGB-C) was 310.33Kg/ha, while SOC was 0.8298 Kg/ha. The organic carbon sequestration potentials was 75.1325Kg/ha, above and belowground biomass (AGBC and BGB-C) was 72.68Kg/ha, while SOC was 1.0762Kg/ha. In NG, the organic carbon sequestration potentials was 24.7163Kg/ha, above and belowground biomass (AGB-C and BGB-C) was 22.36Kg/ha, while SOC was 1.1821Kg/ha. The Total Carbon Sequestration Potentials in Soil and Trees in the three (3) ecological zones was 320.7921Kg/ha. Results of the two-way Analysis of Variance showed that the forest reserves differed significantly (p< 0.05) in carbon Stocked with NM recording the highest carbon sequestration potentials. It is thus concluded that the forest reserves have the potentials to sequestrate an enormous amount of carbon and can thus contribute significantly to carbon dioxide reduction from the atmosphere. As a result, it is recommended that, there is need for implementing sustainable logging practices in our forest reserves that minimize disruptions and encourage forest regeneration which will ensure long-term carbon storage capabilities.