Biomass, carbon stock and sequestration potential of Oxytenanthera abyssinica forests in Lower Beles River Basin, Northwestern Ethiopia

Background: Given the large bamboo resource base with considerable potential to act as an important carbon sink, Ethiopia has included bamboo in the national Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) and Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) programs. However, little is known about the carbon stock and sequestration potential of bamboo forests. As a result, this research was conducted to quantify the carbon sequestration and storage capacity of Oxytenanthera abyssinica forests in the Lower Beles River Basin, northwestern Ethiopia. To this end, a total of 54 circular plots, each measuring 100 m(2) with a radius of 5.64 m, were established to conduct the inventory in Assitsa and Eddida bamboo forests, the typical bamboo sites in Lower Beles River Basin. Biomass accumulation of bamboo was estimated using an allometric equation based on diameter at breast height (DBH) and age. Soil samples were taken from two different soil depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) to determine soil organic carbon. Results: Results indicate that the mean biomass of the bamboo forests in the study area accounted for about 177.1 +/- 3.1 Mg ha(-1). The mean biomass carbon and soil organic carbon stock of the bamboo forests were 83.2 +/- 1.5 Mg C ha(-1) and 70 +/- 1.7 Mg C ha(-1), respectively. Therefore, the mean carbon stock of the O. abyssinica bamboo forests was 152.5 +/- 2.5 Mg C ha(-1) to 559.8 +/- 9.0 ton CO2 ha(-1). Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of assessing bamboo's carbon stock and sequestration potential for enhancing its role in climate change mitigation and sustainable resource management. The O. abyssinica bamboo forests of the study area have significant carbon stock and sequestration potential. Therefore, sustainable management of these crucial vegetation resources will enhance their role in providing ecosystem services, including climate change mitigation.