Comparative Analysis of Carbon Stocks in Home Garden and Adjacent Coffee Based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia
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Comparative Analysis of Carbon Stocks in Home Garden and Adjacent Coffee Based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia Mulugeta Betemariyam1 · Mesele Negash2 · Adefires Worku3 Accepted: 20 March 2020 © Steve Harrison, John Herbohn 2020
Abstract Agroforestry practices offer high potential of carbon (C) sequestration in developing countries. However, the roles of tropical agroforestry to mitigate climate change has only recently been recognized. Therefore, this case study was conducted to demonstrate empirically the carbon stocks of home garden (HGAF) and adjacent coffee based agroforestry systems (CAFS) practiced at Mana district, southwestern Ethiopia. The two agroforestry systems were the predominant natural resources management practices in the study area. A total of 60 nested plots (20 m × 20 m) were established in the two agroforestry systems for inventory of woody species. Three 1 m × 1 m subplots were established in the main plots to collect litter and soil samples. A total of 240 soil samples, 120 for analysis of soil organic carbon fraction (%C), and 120 for bulk density determination, were collected. We estimated the total C stock by summing C stock in the biomass and soil (0–60 cm depth). Results showed that, the total biomass C stocks (above and belowground) significantly differed between HGAF (27.4 ± 16.9 Mg C ha−1) and adjacent CAFS (63.1 ± 31.5 Mg C ha−1) (p 75%. Between 2000 and 2010 tree cover increased by 3.7%, resulting in an increase of > 2 PgC (or 4.6%) of biomass C (Zomer et al. 2016). The agroforestry system has a high potential for C sequestration owing to availability of trees and shrubs while simultaneously contributing to maintaining food and nutrition security. Besides, the system diversifies household income, provides fiber, and energy to local communities, and serve for agrotourism, aesthetic values, demonstration and education (Jose and Bardhan 2012). And also, this system improve soil fertility through increasing soil organic matter and biological nitrogen fixation by leguminous trees. Trees help recover nutrients and conserve soil moisture, and hence, may also enhance agricultural productivity. Agroforestry can provide assets and income from carbon and wood energy and enhancement of local climate conditions (Mbow et al. 2014). In the case of Africa, C sequestration should generally be considered a co-benefit of strategies to support sustainable livelihoods and adapt to climate change (Mbow et al. 2014). Nevertheless, performance of mitigation options in agroforestry depend on the relative influence of tree species selection and management, climatic regimes, soil characteristics, topography, rainfall, agricultural practices, priorities for food security and economic development options (Mbow et al. 2014). Agroforestry represents a traditional production system in Ethiopia. It is one of the policy strategies for a climate resilient green economy and readiness preparation proposal in Ethiopia (FDRE 2011; R-PP 2011). Agroforestry currently covers an estimated area of 6 million ha in E
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