Carbon Storage Variation of Plantation Forest and Their Management Practices in Amhara, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

The rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and its potential to alter the climate are currently major global concerns. Forest plants and soil may absorb and retain carbon from the atmosphere, forming significant terrestrial carbon storage. The aims of this study were to estimate the carbon storage variance of Eucalyptus globulus and Cupressus lusitanica species in community and small‐scale plantation forests under different management practices in the study area. A systematic sampling technique was used to collect field data. The transect line and the sample plot were positioned at 100 and 50 m, respectively, between them. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and total tree height were measured using a total of 60 plots (10 m × 10 m) from community plantation forests and 30 plots from small‐scale plantation forests. The total mean carbon storage of C. lusitanica was 312.2 ± 97.9 t C/ha, and that of E. globulus was 356.1 ± 117.6 t C/ha. This was equivalent to 1146.4 ± 359.2 t C/ha CO2 (g) of C. lusitanica and 1306.9 ± 431.8 t C/ha CO2 (g) of E. globulus. The total mean carbon storage of E. globulus was higher than that of C. lusitanica in all carbon pools, except for litterfall biomass. From the management practices in small‐scale plantations, the total mean carbon storage of C. lusitanica and E. globulus was 120.5 ± 37.5 t C/ha and 130.5 ± 40.8 t C/ha, respectively. This was equivalent to 442.2 ± 137.5 and 478.9 ± 149.7 t C/ha of CO2 (g), C. lusitanica and E. globulus, respectively. The results of this study will identify research gaps for future investigations and assist in addressing knowledge gaps for forest managers and organisations committed to providing enough attention to forest conservation.