Species Composition and Carbon Stock of Woody Plants in Asasa forest, Jibat Woreda, West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the floristic composition and carbon stock potential of woody species of Asasa forest in central highlands of Ethiopia. Random sampling method was employed to collect vegetation data from 44 plots with 400m2 (20mx20m). All trees measured at diameter height breast and height in each sample plot. A total of 71 different woody plant species categorized into58 genera and 35 families were recorded and identified in study area within the plots. The most dominant family is Fabaceae with 6 genera and 9 species followed by Euphorbiaceae with 5 genera and 5 species respectively. The density of tree in Asasa forest is decrease with increase the height and DBH class. The larger size and higher DBH of woody plant species to store huge amount of carbon stock in Asasa forest such as Ekebergia capensis, Prunus africana, Ficus thonnining, Podocarpus falcatus, Olinia rochetiana, Milletia ferruginea, Olea welwitschi and Apodytes dimidiate. From this study the total carbon stock in Asasa forest was 1214.97 ton/ha. The average value of carbon stock in above ground was 1012.478 ton/ha and the average value of carbon stock in below ground was 202.49 ton/ha respectively. The average value of carbon dioxide stored in above ground carbon stock is 3692.8 ton/ha respectively. The average value of carbon dioxide stored in below ground carbon stock is 734.89 ton/ha respectively. Well-managed forests increase the resilience of ecosystem services; particularly trees absorb and store the large quantities of carbon. Generally, the study forest is important in storing a huge amount of carbon and play a great role to mitigate carbon emission. The forest ecosystems have a higher carbon dioxide seqeustration than the other types of ecosystems. Forest carbon related awareness creation for local community and promotion of the local knowledge can be regarded as an important way for sustainable forest management. It is important to design community based participatory planning with the local community in conservation and management of the natural resources seeking alter native income generating mechanisms to those individuals who are using the vegetation for various purposes