Biomass and carbon storage of a tropical montane rain forest ecosystem in Nothern Tanzania
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Date
2004-01-14
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Abstract
Field measures of tree dimensions and chemical soil analysis for organic carbon were used
to quantify and estimate the biomass and carbon storage potential of a tropical montane rain
forest ecosystem in Kilimanjaro, northern Tanzania. Permanent sample plots measuring 20m
x 20m were established in six different sites in the forest and all trees > 6cm DBH
enumerated. Samples from thirty trees representative of the forest were weighed in the
laboratory for biomass determination. The sample tree data were used to develop biomass
equations as a function of diameter at breast height (DBH). Carbon content was computed as
49% of the biomass for each site. Soil organic carbon was obtained by laboratory analysis of
soil samples taken at different depths of a soil profile dug at each plot centre. The developed
biomass equations and the soil organic carbon were used to estimate the biomass and carbon
storage per hectare for the forest. The soil carbon storage was significantly higher than that
in tree biomass: the aboveground and root carbon of trees averaged 17.64 tons/ha, while the
soil carbon averaged 1424 tons/ha. The decrease of soil carbon with depth results from the
greater accumulation of organic matter in the surface horizons. The higher carbon content of
the soil is attributed to large quantities of organic matter resulting from leaf fall. The high
density of small roots in the soil may also be a factor. The potential of this ecosystem to act
as a carbon sink and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions is evident.
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Keywords
Biomass, Biomass Equations, Carbon Pools, Montane Rain Forest