Comparative analysis of biomass and soil carbon stock estimation of Gambo forest and its adjacent parkland agroforestry, Negele Arsi woreda, Ethiopia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20372/star.V15.i3.03Keywords:
Biomass carbon stock, natural forest, parkland AFAbstract
While forests and agroforestry (AF) systems are essential for climate change mitigation, there is a lack of comparative analysis of carbon stocks in Gambo forest and an adjacent parkland AF. Current study biomass carbon measurements and comparisons fill that gap. All land-use categories have 20 plots. Tree height and DBH were measured for those with a DBH ≥ 5 cm. To collect litter and soil samples (at 30 cm depth), each plot comprises five 1m × 1m quadrats: four at the corners and one in the middle. Gambo forest conserved more carbon than nearby parkland AF, but the differences in AGC (137.78 vs. 61.74 t/ha) and BGC (35.84 vs. 12.35 t/ha) were not significant (p < 0.05). However, the forest had significantly higher (p < 0.05) litter (4.16 t/ha) and SOC (208.09 t/ha) than parklands (1.85 and 134.02 t/ha). The two land uses differ greatly in mean total carbon. Ancient, huge trees with large DBH, complex, multi-layered canopies, and diversified tree structures increase vertical and horizontal space and plant biomass density, storing more carbon in natural forests. Both land use patterns have great carbon sequestration potential, requiring integrated, proactive actions to minimize deforestation and protect forests.
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Accepted 2026-09-04
Published 2026-09-30
