Above- and Below-Ground Reserved Carbon in Danaba Community Forest of Oromia Region, Ethiopia: Implications for CO2 Emission Balance

Forests can capture and retain enormous amount of carbon over long periods of time. Their role in carbon emission balance is also well documented. However, especially in developing country wide spread deforestation and forest degradation is continuing unknowingly and deliberately. This study was conducted to estimate CO2 mitigation capacity of the dry Afromontane forest of Danaba found in Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia. A systematic sampling method through Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to identify each sampling point. Results revealed that the total mean carbon density of the CF was 507.29 (1861.75 CO2 equivalents) t•ha-1 whereas trees share 319.43 (1172.31 CO2 equivalents) t•ha-1, undergrowth shrubs 0.40 (1.47 CO2 equivalents) t•ha-1, litter, herbs and grasses (LHGs) 1.06 (3.89 CO2 equivalents) t•ha-1 and soil organic carbon (SOC) 186.40 (684.09 CO2 equivalents) t•ha-1 (up to 30 cm depth). The ultimate result implies that Danaba CF is a reservoir of high atmospheric CO2. To enhance sustainability of the forest potentiality, the carbon sequestration should be integrated with Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) carbon trading system of the Kyoto Protocol to get monetary benefit of CO2 mitigation.