scholarly journals Diversity of Woody Species and Biomass Carbon Stock in Response to Exclosure Age in Central Dry Lowlands of Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Temima Ibrahim ◽  
Fikrey Tesfay ◽  
Bethel Geremew

Objective: Empirical evidence on the potential of area exclosure in the restoration of severely degraded lands is crucially important. Thus, a study was conducted to examine the influence of exclosure age on vegetation structure, diversity, and biomass carbon stock in the central dry lowland of Ethiopia. Methods: Exclosures of 5, 15, >20 years old, and adjacent open grazing land were selected. Data on vegetation were collected using 20 × 20 m sampling quadrats which were laid along parallel transect lines. Results: The result showed that 17 woody species which represent 9 families were recorded at exclosures and open grazing lands. Shannon-Wiener (H') diversity index ranged from 0.74 (open grazing land) to 2.12 (middle age exclosure). Shannon evenness (E) index was higher in the middle age exclosure (0.80). Woody species basal area and tree density significantly (p < 0.05) increased with increasing exclosure age. The Aboveground woody biomass significantly (p < 0.05) varied from 12.60 (open grazing land) to 68.61 Mg ha-1 (middle age exclosure). Similarly, the aboveground biomass (AGB) carbon stocked was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the middle (32 Mg ha-1) and old age exclosures (31 Mg ha-1). Conclusion: This study indicated that exclusion can restore the degraded vegetation and sequester and stock more atmospheric carbon dioxide in the aboveground biomass. Therefore, open degraded grazing land of the lowland areas can be restored into a promising stage through area exclosure land use management.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesafint Minale ◽  
Menale Wondie

Abstract BackgroundTropical agroforestry systems can contribute incredible benefit for carbon sequestration and plant diversity. This system is one of the common practices in the Central part of Ethiopia. This is because of source of the multifunctional ecosystem services, such as food, feed, biodiversity conservation and carbon storage potential. MethodologyThis study was carried out to assess the influence of land size on floristic diversity, richness and biomass carbon stock. The homegardens were classified into small (<0.06 ha), medium (0.06–0.1 ha) and large (>0.1 ha). Biomass of the homegarden was computed using allometric equations.ResultsA total of 39 woody species, belonging to 24 families were recorded in all the study homegardens. Tree density 625.8 tree ha-1 and basal area 17.3 m2ha-1 were highest for small-size HGs. However, large homegarden had more species richness (Margalef Index) per garden (12.4) compared to medium and small size homegarden. Mean biomass carbon ranged from 9 to 89.3 ton ha-1. Mean biomass carbon stock per unit area was higher in small homegarden (49.3 ton ha-1) compared to medium (38.4 ton ha-1) and large (35 ton ha-1). ConclusionsThis result implies that homegarden can serve as both for carbon sequestration and conservation of woody species diversity. However, a specific homegarden management plan is necessary to improve the carbon storage and species diversification to the respective area. The results provide a catalyst the implication of the future potential of homegarden management in carbon storage thereby for climate change adaptation and mitigation purpose.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Touafchia Boutheyna ◽  
Kadi Zahia ◽  
Redjaimia Lilia ◽  
Rached-Kanouni Malika

The objective of this study is the rational management of forest ecosystems for sustainable conservation of floristic biodiversity. Two types of analysis are carried out: structural analysis and analysis of the main species. A total of 22 families were identified, divided among 32 species. The dominant woody species are Quercus suber and Quercus canariensis. Fagaceae is the most represented family. The average values of species richness and Shannon diversity index are 4 ± 1.8 and 0.9 ± 0.30 species/plot respectively. The average density of woody species in the Oueld Bechih forest was 158 ± 28 tree/ha with an average basal area of 32.67 ± 0.74m²/ha. The height structure shows that trees in height classes is ≥ 6 has very high density, evidence of almost no natural regeneration. The total structure indicates that larger trees are more abundant. In effect, this work provides a database for the forest, but it represents only one facet to be considered in protecting and restoring it.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Md. Delwar Hossain ◽  
Md. Ehsanul Haq ◽  
Manna Salwa ◽  
Md. Nazmul Islam Shekh ◽  
Aisha Siddika ◽  
...  

The study was conducted from January to April 2018 to estimate ecosystem carbon stock and tree species diversity at National Botanical Garden, Bangladesh. Transects line method square plots with a size of 20 m × 20 m were used. So altogether there were total eighty-three sample plots in National Botanical Garden. Above ground carbon (AGC) and below ground carbon (BGC) biomass stock was 192.67 and 31.34, respectively and soil organic carbon mean value of 27.52 Mg ha-1, 21.45 Mg ha-1 and 16.23 Mg ha-1, respectively for 0-10 cm depth, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm depth. The average number of tree species per hectare was 128 with a mean value of each plot 3.00 to 9.00 species. The average number of trees in National Botanical Garden (233 tree ha-1), basal area (21.45 m2 ha-1) and mean DBH (39.86 cm). Tree diversity range from 0.25 to 1.86 and the mean value of (0.93 ± 0.14) in National Botanical Garden. A relationship such as biomass carbon with the basal area, mean DBH, stem density and tree diversity were estimated. Among these, the relationship between basal area and biomass carbon showed positive significant correlation. Therefore, the results of the study confirmed that the selected botanical garden can serve as a valuable ecological tool in terms of carbon sequestration, diverse tree species and storage of soil organic carbon.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e49894
Author(s):  
Frederico Augusto Guimarães Guilherme ◽  
Hortência Soardi Maricato ◽  
Beatriz Schwantes Marimon ◽  
Firmino Cardoso Pereira ◽  
Luzia Francisca de Souza ◽  
...  

Campos de murundus work as recharge zones and are important for the maintenance of water resources in Brazilian Cerrado. However, with the expansion of the agricultural frontier, this ecosystem may disappear or suffer high anthropogenic disturbances. The aim of the study was to evaluate the structure and distribution of woody species, after the implantation of artificial drainage channels in campo de murundus, in plots near and distant of the drains in the soil. We sampled woody individuals with ≥ 3 cm diameter at the base, and established 20 permanent plots of 20×50 m, 10 of which were between 0-20 m of the drains (edge) and 10 between 150-200 m distant from the drains (interior), totaling two hectares of survey. We recorded 47 species with total density of 230.5 ind.ha-1 and total basal area of 1.331 m2 ha-1. The diversity index of species was H’ = 3.18. We recorded higher density and basal area in the edge, and differential distribution and occupation of woody species in the microrelief of the murundus. This provides us strong evidence that the drains have altered the vegetation structure, especially in the edge of the remnant campos de murundus turning the vegetation woodier and denser.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Tsegu Ereso Denbel

The study was conducted in protected woodland and free graze woodland located in Dugda Woreda, Oromia state, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to explore the floristic composition, structure, and regeneration of woody species. In the park, the vegetation ecology has not been studied up to date, which is necessary for conservation. The systematic sampling technique was used to collect vegetation and human disturbance (presence and absence) data from August to December 2017. The vegetation data were collected from 30 plots from each woodland with a size of 900 m2 (30 m × 300 m) for tree/shrub, while subplots of size 400 m2 (20 m × 20 m) for sapling, respectively, were established in the main plots. Individual tree and shrub diameters at breast height (DBH) ≥2.5 cm and height ≥ 2 m were measured using a tape meter and clinometer, respectively. Diameter at breast height (DBH), frequency, density, basal area, and importance value index (IVI) were used for vegetation structure description, while the densities of mature trees, sapling, and seedling were used for regeneration. A total of 446 individual stems from free grazed woodland and 641 individual stems from protected woodland with a DBH of ≥2.5 cm were encountered from 30 studied sample plots that are protected and free grazed woodlands. Of these, from the total woody species, 68.42% were trees and 31.57% shrubs found in protected woodland; 76.92% were trees and 23.07% shrubs found in free grazed woodland. The total basal area of the woody plant was 3.1 ± 1 m2/ha in free grazed woodland and 4.2 ± 2 m2/ha in protected woodland, calculated for 19 woody species. Fabaceae, Balanitaceae, Capparidaceae, Verbenaceae, and Boraginaceae families were the most abundant families in both woodlands. However, there is a good initiation for the conservation of the park; still, the vegetation of the park was threatened by human-induced fire following intensive farming, gold mining, and overgrazing.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wakshum Shiferaw

AbstractThe study aimed to assess (i) the effects of Prosopis juliflora invasion on the diversity of plant species, and floristic composition at Awash Fentale and the Amibara districts of the Afar region and (ii) the effects of P. juliflora invasion on the regeneration potential of native woody species. Sample collection was performed in habitats of P. juliflora thicket, P. juliflora mixed with native species stands, non-invaded woodlands, and open grazing lands. A stratified random sampling technique was used for data collection. Among species of plants, the highest proportion of species, 87 (27.4%), was recorded under non-invaded woodlands, but the lowest proportion of species, 70 (22%), was recorded under open grazing lands. The invasion level of P. juliflora caused significantly reduced Shannon diversity index. The mean values of Shannon diversity index and species richness under P. juliflora mixed with native species (H’=2.22, R=14) and non-invaded woodlands (H’=2.23, R=13) were significantly higher than P. juliflora thicket (H’=1.96, R=12) and open grazing lands (H’=1.84, R=10). In this study, 102 trees ha-1native woody species were recorded under P. juliflora thicket, but 1252 trees ha-1native species were recorded under non-invaded woodlands. If the present effects of the invasion of P. juliflora on native species diversity were to continue coupled with a drier climate, plant diversity of the Afar flora region will be highly affected. As a result the ecosystem services will be under threat. Thus, the participation of all stakeholders and multidisciplinary research approaches should be designed for the management of invaded rangelands to reverse the situation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Girma Boz ◽  
Melesse Maryo

This study was aimed to determine woody species composition, diversity, and vegetation structure and to investigate major threats to Wurg forest, southwest Ethiopia. In order to collect vegetation data, 64 (400 m2) sample plots from eight transect lines were employed. The distances between transect lines and plots were 400 m and 200 m, respectively. DBH of woody species >2.5 cm and the height >2 m were measured and recorded. Voucher specimens were brought to the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute for identification and deposited there. R program version 12.5.2 software and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet were used to analyze plant community classification and structural analysis, respectively. A total of 76 woody species representing 40 families were recorded. Rubiaceae was the dominant family followed by Asteraceae. The average Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) and the average evenness values of Wurg forest were 3.38 and 0.90, respectively. Four plant community types were identified by using the presence/absence values of each species. The total density of woody species with DBH > 2.5 cm was 1745.3 ha−1. The DBH and height class distributions showed an inverted J-shaped pattern, which indicates a good regeneration potential of the forest. The most frequently observed species (92%) was Syzygium guineense, which contributed 46% of the total basal area. The composition of seedling, sapling, and adult trees/shrubs species was 4966.07 ha−1, 3125.78 ha−1, and 1745.27 ha−1, respectively. However, the major threat to the forest was selective cutting of some woody species for various purposes. Therefore, raising local community awareness on conservation and sustainable use of the forest and exploring various alternatives for local communities’ livelihood and promoting private and community plantations are recommendable.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfay Atsbha ◽  
Solomon Wayu ◽  
Nguse Gebretsadkan ◽  
Tesfay Gebremariam ◽  
Tsgehiwet Giday

Abstract Background Despite the wide use of indigenous browse plant species, there is almost no information on the rehabilitation of indigenous browse species following area exclosure (AE) established on communal grazing lands (CGL) in Southern Tigray. The objectives of this study were to assess the rehabilitation of browse plant species following AE establishment on CGL. A total of 61 and 59 plots of 10 × 10 m2 size were laid down at 50-m intervals along parallel line transects at AE and GCL, respectively. Data collected on vegetation attributes were subjected to analysis of t test (unequal variances) using R-software. Results The Shannon diversity index of the browse plant species was 1.25 and 0.81 in AE and CGL, respectively (P < 0.001). The overall population structure of browse plant species in the AE shows a reverse J-shaped population curve and “good” regeneration status, which reveals that the future communities may be sustained. Leaf biomass and basal area of browse plant species were significantly higher in the AE than in CGL (P < 0.001). After exclusion of grazing, AE was found to have positive effects on diversity and aboveground biomass of browse plant species. Conclusions The study gives an understanding of the diversity, the pattern of population and regeneration of the browse plant species, which may help in the management and conservation of the species. Our results indicate that grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy to restore browse plant species. We concluded that the establishment of AE had a positive effect on the rehabilitation of browse plant species diversity and improved population structure and regeneration potentials of degraded grazing lands. Long-term monitoring and evaluation systems will be required to gain an informed understanding of the roles played by area exclosures in the rehabilitation and conservation of browse palnt species diversity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Appaji Nanda ◽  
Gunguramale L Janardhana

To learn about the abandoned mined area tree diversity, aboveground biomass and carbon stock a study was conducted in quartz mined Bilikal hillock area which is geographically adjacent to Umbalebylu 8 km to Bhadra wildlife sanctuary and 10 km of Kuvempu University. In the present study 0.14ha (350 m×4m) transect, we recorded 1527 individuals comprising 22 families among them Papilionaceae with 6 genera and 7 species, Combretaceae with 2 genera and 4 species followed by Rubiaceae with 3 genera and 3 species and Apocynaceae with 2 genera and 3 species. Based on girth class assessment nearly 1564 individuals comprising 1-10 cm had 559 individuals, the basal area was more within the girth class of 40-50 cm. But aboveground biomass and carbon stock were highest within the girth class of 20-30 cm. varying with species structure and girth class were a disturbed forest patch, the species composition needs management and restoration to retain the biodiversity intact to provide a niche for other co-species.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document