Assessment and Economic Valuation of Carbon Stock of a Guinea Savannah Ecosystem in North-Central, Nigeria

Global warming is among the most dreaded challenges of this era where carbon emission is majorly the causal factor. This is as a result of fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Trees functions as carbon sink by absorbing carbondioxide from the atmosphere and also serve as an avenue to generate foreign earnings in the carbon market through carbon trading hence this study aimed at assessing and estimating the economic value of carbon stock of trees in the study area. A systematic sampling technique was used where four (4) transects of 500m were laid at interval of 150m apart from each other. Four (4) rectangular plots of 100m x 50m in size were laid alternatively along each transect at 20m. Data collected were names of the tree species, diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree height. Allometric equations (non-destructive method) were used for calculation of the tree biomass and carbon sequestrated. The results revealed that the total average biomass stock in the study area was estimated at 32. 7 tons while the total carbon dioxide sequestered by all trees was 302. 3 tons/ha. The estimated economic value of the carbon dioxide sequestrated was 72, 550. 26 or equivalent to ₦56, 252, 569. 29. This showed the economic and ecological significance of the study area where foreign earnings can be generated in addition to contributing towards mitigation of climate change.