Carbon Stock Assessment in Majiya Fuelwood Reserve, Sokoto State- Nigeria

Abstract

This research was conducted with a view to assess the carbon stock in Majiya Fuel Reserve in Dange Shuni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. A 150 m line transect was laid at both sides of the reserve and the area was divided into 30 x 30 m plots, of which simple random sampling was used to select 15 plots from each side. A total of 474 trees from 30 randomly selected plots using 5 line transects were used for this study. Detailed measurement of the trees were carried out in terms of  merchantable height, diameter at base, diameter at breast height (Dbh), diameter at middle and top in all the selected plots. Stem cores were also taken from 5 randomly selected trees in each selected plot for density estimation. Near the center of each plot, soil samples were collected at three different depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) for soil organic carbon (SOC) estimation. The data collected were used to compute volume and density for aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation and 20% of the AGB was adopted for belowground biomass (BGB) estimation. The AGB was estimated to be 44.58t ha-1, BGB of 8.92t ha-1 and SOC of 252.04t ha-1 which amounts to a total carbon stock of 305.54t ha-1 and the atmospheric CO2 capture of the reserve was 1121.33t CO2e ha-1. The result of this study revealed that Majiya Fuel Reserve has a great potential for sequestering atmospheric CO2 if managed sustainably.