Carbon stocks and biodiversity of coastal lowland forests in South Africa: implications for aligning sustainable development and carbon mitigation initiatives

Abstract

Indigenous forests represent South Africa's smallest biome, yet they are critical spaces for aligning sustainable development goals with carbon mitigation activities and conservation. The objectives of this study were to quantify the productivity and biodiversity of coastal lowland forests in the Dwesa Cwebe nature reserve in the Eastern Cape Province and characterize how estimates differed among alternative allometric equations. Using a complete tree census across six plots in the reserve, a total of 1489 trees were inventoried in 2011 and again in 2016. Aboveground tree carbon averaged 99.8 Mg C ha À1 (range 77.2-126.9 Mg C ha À1) using locally derived equations and 214.6 Mg C ha À1 using generalized equations. Tree aboveground net primary productivity averaged 1041.8 g C m À2 y À1. Forty-eight tree species were identified, including many species important to the livelihoods of local communities for medicinal, ceremonial, and other provisioning services. Overall, this study shows that current conservation activities are concomitant with high tree productivity and high levels of C stocks and biodiversity, including species of local and regional significance. Sustaining forest productivity and biodiversity in the future will be critical for maintaining ecosystem services and enhancing stewardship of forest resources in the region.

The Dynamics and Potential of Carbon Stocks as an Indicator of Sustainable Development for Forest Bioeconomy in Ghana

“…It was also indicated that SOC stock significantly impacted soil health and soil biota. Many studies have observed a relationships between SOC stocks and SDGs in different parts of the world [22][23][24][25][26][27]. Though there is no direct link with SOC for most of the SDGs, soils or SOC can promote the attainment of many of the SDGs, especially those related to climate, food, health, land management, and water [22,27], as demonstrated in this current study.…”

“…For example, zero hunger (SDG 2) relates to the achievement of food security and improved nutrition, and Good Health and Well Being (SDG 3) through sustainable agriculture, and SOC is indispensable for the realization of these goals [23]. An increase in SOC stocks is also vital in climate change mitigation and adaptation (SDG 13), and for the sustenance of life on earth (SDG 17), through carbon-capture approaches such as climate-smart agriculture, integrated forestry-crop-livestock agricultural systems, and others [22,[24][25][26][27].…”

Local Geomorphological Gradients and Land Use Patterns Play Key Role on the Soil Bacterial Community Diversity and Dynamics in the Highly Endemic Indigenous Afrotemperate Coastal Scarp Forest Biome

“…It is hypothesized that the local geomorphology controls the soil formation processes, including small-scale patterns of soil texture and concentrations of mineral nutrients that drives plant diversity dynamics and endemism. Despite their high endemism of flora and fauna, coastal scarp forests are also under land-use intensification pressures similar to other forest ecosystems worldwide (Grass et al, 2015;Mangwale et al, 2017;Smithwick, 2019). These ranges from the growing human needs in rural tribal areas, high intensity farming interests, and uncontrolled exploitation, grazing and burning of forests on farms, that has greatly influenced forest coverage.…”

A Nexus of Scientific Investigations, Science Process Skills, and Sustainable Development Goals: Pre-Service Teachers’ Views Concerning Mangroves Fieldwork

“…Such SciIs may be of great importance when addressing indigenous forests as focal points for aligning sustainable development goals (SDGs) with carbon mitigation and conservation (Cf. Smithwick, 2019).…”