Quantification of Carbon Stocks With The Common Tree Genus In Dryland Forest In Taita Ranch, South Eastern Kenya

Authors

  • J. E. Eregae
  • M. W. Gichuhi
  • G. Mwangi

Keywords:

total biomass, carbon sequestration, Dominant Tree Genus, Regression model

Abstract

Mapping of carbon stock in Kenya is central in establishing what potential the country has as far as carbon emission and concentration reduction through forest carbon sequestration effort is concern. This will ultimately define and position the country in carbon “business” if need be and display efforts employed in combating global warming and climate change by protecting and enhancing forest cover. There are some studies that have been conducted outside Africa continent majorly wet climate forest on biomass estimation. However, little has been
done to quantify biomass in dry land ecosystem which is about 70% of Kenya land. This study therefore aimed at establishing the level of carbon capture and storage by the common tree genus and their respective species in dry land ecosystem, and estimate the amount of CO2 capture and storage potential of these species in South East Kenya. Twenty five tree species from fourteen genus and a total of 2060 individual trees were sampled. Wildlife Work regression model was used to do biomass estimation and the computation done estimated the total tree biomass in the study area as 262 Mg, approximated to 26.2 Mg/ha. Biomass estimates varied significantly with genus Commiphora recording the highest biomass of 241 Mg followed by Vachenia and Acacia which recorded 30 Mg. Boswellia, Lannae, and Boscia recorded 22Mg,
18Mg and 11 Mg respectively. In terms of dominance genus Commiphora dominated at 46% followed by Lannea with 19% and Boswellia at 13% and Vachelia and Boscia recorded 9% each while the other pooled genus contributed 2%. The age of forest in the study area ranged between 30yrs to 40 years and based on the average biomass estimates then genus Commiphora is able to capture about 5.5 Mg of CO2 per year, Acacia and Vachenia is able to capture 5.4 Kgs while Boswellia, Lannae and Boscia are able capture 2.6kgs, 2.1kgs and 1.8kgs respectively and other genus pooled together capture 3.2kgs on average. Given the above biomass estimates therefore, genus Commiphora and Acacia and Vachenia lead in terms of carbon capture, storage and release of carbon if harvested for charcoal production.

Author Biographies

J. E. Eregae

Department of Energy and Environmental Technology, JKUAT

M. W. Gichuhi

 Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology, JKUAT

G. Mwangi

Wildlife works Kenya-Rukinga ranch Voi

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Published

04-04-2022