Assessment of the above ground carbon stock changes in mountain Elgon national park forests.

Abstract

This study on assessment of above ground carbon stock changes in Mount Elgon National Park forest over the years 2002-2013 was carried out in the selected southern and northern parts of the forest. A selection 44 of permanent plots that were established and first measured in 2002 by UWA-FACE was done. These plots were re-measured to achieve the study's objectives. The main objective was to compare above ground carbon stock changes in MENP over the years 2002-2003. The Specific objectives included; the overall tree biomass production comparing carbon stocks per hectare in the compartment area and conservation area, finding out carbon levels as per planting years in the compartment area as assessed in 2002 and 2013, to compare the above ground carbon stocks per hectare of trees by their genera in bath compartment and conservation areas and finally to estimate the potential economic value of carbon sequestration by Mount Elgon forests. In data processing and analysis, all data collected from sampling plots in the Field-Map database were used for statistical evaluation. The data was summarized into tables and analyzed using Excel and Minitab. The results were illustrated using graphs for easy interpretation and discussions to draw conclusions. The results indicated that there was a significant increase in above ground biomass production between 2002-2013. The results showed that above ground biomass increased from 581 t/Ha in 2002 to 778 t/Ha in 201 3. There was also increased aboveground carbon stock from 291 t/Ha to 389 t/Ha. There was much above ground carbon stock in the early years of planting compared to those in late years of planting as assessed in both 2002 and 2013. This was due to increased natural biomass growth through ageing exhibited in the tropical forests. It was also observed that the compartment area has the highest levels of aboveground carbon stocks in tons per hectare compared to conservation area both assessed in 2002 and 2013. 'The results also showed that different tree genera store varying levels of carbon in tons per hectare. It was revealed that Mount Elgon forest have potential offset value S 20 per hectare per year if carbon, sequestered is traded in a carbon market. It was recommended that establishment of schemes such as payment of ecosystem services (PES), carbon markets such that the beneficiaries in conservation practices and projects are rewarded should be done. There is need to research further on above ground carbon sequestration potentials including litter, twigs, other vegetations and shrubs which have not been captured in this study to enable the building of a strong information bank for policy makers. Keywords: above ground carbon stocks, forest, offset values