Ecology, Carbon Stock and Formulation of Allometric Equation for Selected Tree and Shrub Species In Gerba Dima Forest, Southwestern Ethiopia
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Date
2018-06-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ecology, Carbon Stock and Formulation of Allometric Equation for Selected Tree and Shrub Species in Gerba-Dima Forest, Southwestern Ethiopia
Abyot Dibaba Hundie, Ph.D. Dissertation
Addis Ababa University, 2018
This study was conducted in Gerba Dima Forest, South Western Ethiopia, to estimate the carbon stock, formulate allometric equations for selected tree and shrub species, determine species diversity, vegetation structure and regeneration status of woody species. A total of 90 sample plots were laid by employing stratified random sampling. Semi destructive method which involves climbing a tree was used to collect data to formulate tree allometry while destructive sampling was used to collect data for development of shrub allometric equation. A total of 180 plant species belonging to 145 genera, 69 families and comprising of 15 endemic species were recorded. Cluster analysis resulted in five different plant communities and this result was supported by the ordination result. RDA result showed altitude was the main environmental variable in determining the plant communities. Structural and regeneration status analysis of tree species revealed different population structures. The mean total carbon stock density of Gerba Dima forest was found to be 586.7 tons Carbon ha-1, out of which 243.8, 45.97, 0.03 and 292tons Carbon ha-1 were stored in the above ground, below ground, litter and as soil organic carbon, respectively. Seven allometric models were developed for 5 tree and 2 shrub species. The best-fit models were selected based on their adjusted r2, RMSE and AIC values. The study forest can play a significant role in biodiversity conservation as well as climate change mitigation since it harbors high species diversity, richness and can sink 2153 tons of Carbon dioxide. However, studies on the structure and regeneration of some woody species indicated that there are species that require urgent conservation measures. Sound management and monitoring, as well as maintenance of biodiversity, cultural and economic values of the forest require conservation activities that promote sustainable uses of the forest and its products.
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Allometry, Carbon Stock, Forest, Gerba Dima, Species Diversity