Effect of collaborative forest management on carbon stocks, species diversity and stem density in Mabira central forest reserve, Uganda

Abstract

Collaborative forest management (CFM) is a form of forest governance in which local communities are involved in the superintendence and administrative processes related to forest resources. It is believed that forests under such management are better in tree diversity and conservation status thus hold more carbon stocks. The study assessed the influence of CFM on carbon stocks in Mabira central forest reserve. This was achieved through measuring carbon stocks in forested areas under CFM viz a viz non-CFM areas, determining tree species diversity in forested areas under CFM viz a viz non-CFM areas, and determining tree stem-densities in areas under CFM viz a viz non-CFM areas in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Data were collected from alternating plots laid along transects running from north to south in the different purposively selected forest areas. Field carbon stock assessment followed the procedure described by Asseffa et al., (2013) Tree species diversity included species richness and species evenness as sampled among plots in the selected forest areas. Tree stem-density assessment was hinged on the method described by Eilu et al., (2004). The study findings show that non-CFM areas have a greater variability and wider spread carbon stock values compared to CFM areas. CFM areas also had lower species richness compared to non-CFM areas. CFM areas however, exhibited more species diversity and variability than non-CFM areas. CFM areas had higher average stem density stands (309 stems per hectare) compared to non-CFM areas. Recommendations for improving collaborative forest management (CFM) areas include implementing targeted interventions to enhance carbon sequestration, such as promoting reforestation and afforestation with high-carbon-storing species, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess carbon stock changes over time. Additionally, efforts should focus on enhancing biodiversity conservation by implementing more stringent protection measures and reducing human disturbance, while encouraging community participation in biodiversity monitoring and conservation education.