Carbon Sequestration Potentials of Selected Sites at Lake Ziway, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Now-a-days changes in land use system to meet the demands of a growing global population
are inducing a shift in the ecological functions of wetlands such as carbon sequestration. The
objective of this study was to investigate the impact of wetland conversion/ degradation on
carbon sequestration potentials of some selected wetland sites at shore area of Lake Ziway.
Five sites were selected purposefully (Least-impacted wetland, moderately degraded wetland,
degraded wetland, grazing land, and cultivated land). Triplicate vegetation and soil core
samples were taken from each site in July and August 2015 and analyzed for aboveground
biomass, aboveground plant carbon, and soil organic carbon content while some physico–
chemical parameters were also recorded both onsite and in the laboratory. In addition to this,
a short survey was also undertaken to investigate the community perceptions on wetland
degradation. The results indicated that the Least-impacted wetland site had significantly
higher (p<0.05) aboveground plant carbon as well as soil organic carbon content than the
other wetland degradation levels. The aboveground plant carbon ranged between 49.23 g C
m-2 in the converted grazing land to 2066.17 g C m-2 in the least-impacted wetland. Soil organic
carbon content ranged between 7.36 g C kg-1 in the converted cultivated land to 91.43 g C kg-
1 in the least-impacted site. Soil organic carbon content was positively correlated (p<0.01)
with aboveground biomass and soil moisture whereas soil temperature showed significant
negative correlation (p<0.01). The view of the respondents from the survey also indicated the
high conversion and loss of wetlands over time in the area due to population growth. This
conversion of wetlands has resulted in a high reduction in carbon content of these ecosystems
which can consequently affect the micro-climate of the area. So special attention should be
given to the management of wetlands in the area so as to enhance their capacity to mitigate
carbon emissions.
Key words: Carbon sequestration, Lake Ziway, triggering factors, wetland degradation
Description
Keywords
Carbon Sequestration, Lake Ziway, Triggering Factors, Wetland Degradation