Carbon Stock Estimation on four Selected Urban Public Parks: Implication for Carbon Emission Reduction in Addis Ababa

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Date

2015-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Climate change is one of the grand challenges that have faced humanity. Anthropogenic emission of CO2 is the major cause for current global warming. However only few studies have been conducted from emission reduction perspectives on urban public parks offset CO2 in the atmosphere. This study was, therefore, aimed at estimate the carbon stock in four selected public parks in Addis Ababa using non-destructive method. Complete listing for AGB of trees with DBH ≥10cm and systemic sampling method for soil and litter carbon stock estimation was employed. Forty five10m*10m sample plots were laid for soil and litter. The soil and litter carbon was determined by Walkley-Black method and ashing method, respectively. Tree specimens were taken to the National (ETH) Herbarium for identification. The carbon stock of 118.748±82.00 ton/ha, 23.75±16.40 ton/ha, 1.148±0.341ton/ha and 93.93±32.99 ton/ha were recorded in the above ground biomass, below ground biomass, dead litter and soil pool respectively. The corresponding CO2equivalent in different pools were 632.285±596.52 ton/ha, 87.15±60.19 ton/ha, 4.214±1.250 ton/ha and 344.71±121.08 ton/ha. Cupressus lusitanica was the dominant species. It constitutes 39.9% of the total tree found in the study site I. This species has also higher DBH class in the study site II. Altitude and aspects are the two parameters that affect the carbon stocks in soil and litter. The carbon stock in Litter and Soil were higher in the higher altitude with (1.18 t/ha) and (105.32/ha) respectively. The higher carbon stock was recorded in North West aspect for both litter and soil while the lowest was recorded in North East aspect for soil and East aspect for litter carbon. This study conducted that public Parks play a role in offsetting carbon dioxide for beyond its aesthetic value and it is very important in enhancing carbon sequestration potentials. Key words: Climate change, Public Parks, Carbon Stock, Green House Gases

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Keywords

Climate Change, Public Parks, Carbon Stock, Green House Gases

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