Tree diversity and carbon stocks in agroforestry systems in northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Agroforestry (AF) is an ancient tradition in Ethiopian dryland farming system. Several studies have examined system design, soil fertility management and system interactions, but the biodiversity and mitigation aspects of climate change have received less focus. We assessed the diversity of woody species, biomass carbon (C), and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock associated with indigenous dryland AF practices. A total of 197 smallholder farmers representing four AF practices (home garden, parkland, boundary plantation, and woodlot) from lowland, midland, and highland areas were systematically selected. The inventory of woody species was carried out on each farm's randomly formed plot. Results We identified a total of 59 woody species representing 48 genera and 32 families. Shannon diversity index (H') was highest in home garden and parkland AF, while woodlots had the highest mean total stock of biomass C (31 Mg C ha−1). C stocks for smallholding systems (total biomass C and SOC 0–60 cm) ranged from 77–135 Mg ha−1. Total biomass C stocks were significantly correlated with abundance (Spearman r = 0.333; p = 0.002) but biomass components were not significantly correlated with H'. SOC soil depth stock (0–60 cm) was positively and significantly associated with H' (Spearman r = 0.291 & 0.351; p < 0.01). Conclusions We report greater species richness in home garden and parkland AF systems than in woodlots. While parkland AF produce lower biomass and SOC stock relative to other AF systems. The strategic use of home gardens and boundary planting can improve tree diversity and carbon storage in Ethiopian dryland ecosystems.

Agroforestry and reforestation with the Gold Standard-Decision Analysis of a voluntary carbon offset label

“…de/ die-genos sensc haft/). In terms of ownership structure, the sites therefore differ from reforestation or agroforestry projects that are often owned by smallholders (Manaye et al 2021). We built two simulation models to cover the costs, benefits, risks, and uncertainties of two certification decisions for BaumInvest AG and PuroVerde eG.…”

Silvopastoral systems improve carbon stocks at livestock ranches in Tabasco, Mexico

“…The lower soil BD in STP implies less compacted soils, which is related to a greater content of organic carbon (Aryal et al, 2019; Manaye et al, 2021). Other studies have also documented that the use of native trees when associated with grasses can produce a greater accumulation of organic material at greater soil depths (Dollinger & Jose, 2018; Hoosbeek et al, 2018).…”

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“…The warmest earth's surface temperature has been recorded since 2016 resulting in extreme weather conditions and its adverse effect on crop production (Gupta et al, 2017;Jones, 2017). There is, therefore, the need to pursue climate-smart technologies that increase carbon storage especially for smallholder farmers who have been predicted to be worse affected by climate change due to their limited adaptive capacity (Manaye et al, 2021). Agroforestry has been observed to be one of the low costs and sustainable technologies for mitigating climate change.…”

“…Brown et al (2012) observed that agroforestry systems in East and West Africa alone has the potential to store about 6-22 Mg CO 2 ha −1 year −1 . Manaye et al (2021) evaluated tree diversity and carbon stocks in agroforestry systems in Ethiopia and observed a high tree species diversity and potential above and below ground carbon stock of about 77-135 Mg ha −1 on smallholder farmers' fields. The study suggested, agroforestry to be a very important means of storing carbon.…”