Carbon Sequestration Potential of Coffee Based Agro-Forestry Systems in Nono Sale Forest, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to demonstrate empirically the carbon stocks of Coffee based agroforestry at Nono Sale District, southwestern Ethiopia. Stratify the study area into three strata based on the Species Abundance, availability of coffee and Density (Mixed Natural Forest coffee strata 51 ha, Albizia strata 34 ha and Syzygiam strata 20 ha) a total 34 nested plots 20 m × 20 m, 2 m × 2 m and 1 m × 1 m were laid in the stratum to measure the biomass of woody plants, herbaceous, and litter biomass respectively. Soil samples was collected from the upper 0-30 cm depth. The Estimation of Carbon was done by using the generic equation AGTB =0.0673 × (ρD2H)<sup>0.976</sup> and AGB = 0.147 × d40<sup>2</sup> for tree biomass and coffee respectively. The total carbon stored in the CAF in the Strata ranged from 188.54 to 232.43 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> with a mean of 203.97 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>. The Albizia CAF strata had significantly more carbon than natural mixed forest CAF Strata and Syzygiam CAF strata. 232.43 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>, 232.43 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> and 188.54 respectably. Soil carbon was found 10.32Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> in natural mixed forest CAF Strata, 9.8 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> the Albizia CAF strata ha<sup>-1</sup> and 7.27 Syzygiam CAF strata. There was statically significant deferens at 0.1% but there is no significant effect at P< 0.05% between soil carbon stocks in the strata. On average, 75% of the carbon stored in tree biomass (above and below ground) and it is the largest carbon storage of the study area.