scholarly journals Evaluation of Agroforestry Carbon Storage Status and Potential in Irrigated Plains of Pakistan

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Ghulam Yasin ◽  
Muhammad Farrakh Nawaz ◽  
Timothy Ancel Martin ◽  
Nabeel Khan Niazi ◽  
Sadaf Gul ◽  
...  

The Kyoto Protocol includes agroforestry practices as a suggested approach for mitigating global atmospheric CO2. Agroforestry systems are a desirable option for mitigating atmospheric CO2, as they provide numerous secondary benefits, including food, fodder, fuel, increased farm income, biodiversity maintenance, and soil conservation. This research was planned to assess the current carbon storage status and future potential of agroforestry systems in Pakistan through a nondestructive approach (allometric equations) in 14 subdivisions (tehsils) of three selected districts located in the irrigated plains of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1750 plots of 0.405 ha each were selected in a randomized, unbiased sampling to estimate the total number of trees, tree species diversity, diameters at breast height (DBHs), and tree heights. Soil carbon was also measured at 0–30 cm using the Walkley–Black method in a subset of plots. It was found that the current number of trees in farms in the study area varied from 18 to 51 trees/ha, which can be increased to 42–83 trees/ha if all the farmers plant the maximum permissible number of trees along with their crops. The estimated total tree carbon stock ranged from 0.0003 to 8.79 Mgha−1, with the smallest mean value of 0.39 Mgha−1 for tehsil Faisalabad, and the largest mean value of 1.41 Mgha−1 for tehsil Chiniot. The whole study area had an estimated woody vegetation carbon stock of 950,470 Mg and a soil carbon stock of 22,743,008 Mg. If farmers in the study area all increased tree stocking to their average maximum desired stocking, the total tree carbon stock would more than double to 2,497,261 Mg. These results highlight both the current and potential carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry in Pakistan and can be further used in devising strategies for implementing tree planting programs on agricultural lands and designing future carbon sequestration projects in Pakistan.

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.


Author(s):  
Stella Nwawulu Chiemela ◽  
Florent Noulèkoun ◽  
Chinedum Jachinma Chiemela ◽  
Amanuel Zenebe ◽  
Nigussie Abadi ◽  
...  

Purpose This paper aims at providing the evidence about how carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems could contribute to the decrease of atmospheric CO2 rates through the adoption of appropriate cropping systems such as agroforestry. Design/methodology/approach Stratified randomly selected plots were used to collect data on tree diameter at breast height (DBH). Composite soil samples were collected from three soil depths for soil carbon analysis. Above ground biomass estimation was made using an allometric equation. The spectral signature of each plot was extracted to study the statistical relationship between carbon stock and selected vegetation indices. Findings There was a significant difference in vegetation and soil carbon stocks among the different land use/land cover types (P < 0.05). The potential carbon stock was highest in the vegetation found in sparsely cultivated land (13.13 ± 1.84 tons ha−1) and in soil in bushland (19.21 ± 3.79 tons ha−1). Carbon sequestration potential of the study area significantly increased (+127174.5 tons CO2e) as a result of conversion of intensively cultivated agricultural lands to agroforestry systems. The amount of sequestered carbon was found to be dependent on species diversity, tree density and tree size. The vegetation indices had a better correlation with soil and total carbon. Originality/value The paper has addressed an important aspect in curbing greenhouse gases in integrated land systems. The paper brings a new empirical insight of carbon sequestration potentials of agroforestry systems with a focus on drylands.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kewat Sanjay Kumar ◽  

Mechanisms governing carbon stabilization in soils have received a great deal of attention in recent years due to their relevance in the global carbon cycle. Two thirds of the global terrestrial organic C stocks in ecosystems are stored in below ground components as terrestrial carbon pools in soils. Furthermore, mean residence time of soil organic carbon pools have slowest turnover rates in terrestrial ecosystems and thus there is vast potential to sequester atmospheric CO2 in soil ecosystems. Depending upon soil management practices it can be served as source or sink for atmospheric CO2. Sustainable management systems and practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry and application of biochar are emerging and promising tools for soil carbon sequestration. Increasing soil carbon storage in a system simultaneously improves the soil health by increase in infiltration rate, soil biota and fertility, nutrient cycling and decrease in soil erosion process, soil compaction and C emissions. Henceforth, it is vital to scientifically explore the mechanisms governing C flux in soils which is poorly understood in different ecosystems under anthropogenic interventions making soil as a potential sink for atmospheric CO2 to mitigate climate change. Henceforth, present paper aims to review basic mechanism governing carbon stabilization in soils and new practices and technological developments in agricultural and forest sciences for C sequestration in terrestrial soil ecosystems.


Ecology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Gill ◽  
Laurel J. Anderson ◽  
H. Wayne Polley ◽  
Hyrum B. Johnson ◽  
Robert B. Jackson

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuyang Yu ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Zixiang Zhou ◽  
Li Zeng ◽  
Cheng Zhang

The Qinling-Daba Mountain area is a transitional zone between north and south China and not much is known about its carbon storage, particularly its pool of soil organic carbon (SOC). Given this shortcoming, more reliable information regarding its SOC is needed. In light of this, we quantified above and below-ground carbon sinks using both the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford approach (CASA) model and an improved carbon cycle process model. We also assessed the net present value (NPV) for carbon budgets under different carbon price and discount rate scenarios using the NPV model. Our results indicated that the net primary productivity (NPP) was lower in places with low density forests that were situated at high elevation. The spatial distribution of carbon storage depended on NPP production and litter decompositon, which reflected specific vegetation as well as temperature and moisture gradients. The lowest amounts of carbon storage were in the center of the Qinling Mountains and also partly in the Daba area, which is a location associated with sparse grassland. Contrastingly, the broad-leaved forested area showed the highest amount of carbon storage. NPV was positively correlated with discount rate and carbon prices, thus resulting in the highest values in the forests and grassland. The net present value of total soil carbon sequestration in the six scenarios in 2015 was 3.555 b yuan, 3.621 b yuan, 5.421 b yuan, 5.579 b yuan, 7.530 b yuan, 7.929 b yuan; The net present value of total soil carbon sequestration in 6 scenarios in 2017 is 2.816 b yuan, 2.845 b yuan, 4.361 b yuan, 4.468 b yuan, 6.144 b yuan, 6.338 b yuan (billion = 109; b; RMB is the legal currency of the China, and its unit is yuan, 1 euro = 7.7949 yuan, and 1 pound = 9.2590 yuan). Levying a carbon tax would be a notable option for decision makers as they develop carbon emission reduction policies. Given this, incorporating discount rates and carbon pricing would allow for more realistic value estimations of soil organic carbon. This approach would also provide a theoretical basis and underscore the practical significance for the government to set a reasonable carbon price.


2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 2910-2922 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN LICHTER ◽  
SHARON A. BILLINGS ◽  
SUSAN E. ZIEGLER ◽  
DEEYA GAINDH ◽  
REBECCA RYALS ◽  
...  

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Wei Yue ◽  
Jin-Hong Guan ◽  
Lei Deng ◽  
Jian-Guo Zhang ◽  
Guoqing Li ◽  
...  

Background The spruce forests are dominant communities in northwest China, and play a key role in national carbon budgets. However, the patterns of carbon stock distribution and accumulation potential across stand ages are poorly documented. Methods We investigated the carbon stocks in biomass and soil in the natural spruce forests in the region by surveys on 39 plots. Biomass of tree components were estimated using allometric equations previously established based on tree height and diameter at breast height, while biomass in understory (shrub and herb) and forest floor were determined by total harvesting method. Fine root biomass was estimated by soil coring technique. Carbon stocks in various biomass components and soil (0–100 cm) were estimated by analyzing the carbon content of each component. Results The results showed that carbon stock in these forest ecosystems can be as high as 510.1 t ha−1, with an average of 449.4 t ha−1. Carbon stock ranged from 28.1 to 93.9 t ha−1 and from 0.6 to 8.7 t ha−1 with stand ages in trees and deadwoods, respectively. The proportion of shrubs, herbs, fine roots, litter and deadwoods ranged from 0.1% to 1% of the total ecosystem carbon, and was age-independent. Fine roots and deadwood which contribute to about 2% of the biomass carbon should be attached considerable weight in the investigation of natural forests. Soil carbon stock did not show a changing trend with stand age, ranging from 254.2 to 420.0 t ha−1 with an average of 358.7 t ha−1. The average value of carbon sequestration potential for these forests was estimated as 29.4 t ha−1, with the lower aged ones being the dominant contributor. The maximum carbon sequestration rate was 2.47 t ha−1 year−1 appearing in the growth stage of 37–56 years. Conclusion The carbon stock in biomass was the major contributor to the increment of carbon stock in ecosystems. Stand age is not a good predictor of soil carbon stocks and accurate evaluation of the soil carbon dynamics thus requires long-term monitoring in situ. The results not only revealed carbon stock status and dynamics in these natural forests but were helpful to understand the role of Natural Forest Protection project in forest carbon sequestration as well.


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