FOREST TRANSITION AND CARBON STOCK DYNAMICS IN AKAMKPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA 0 0
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.83374/jesber.vol1no2.96Keywords:
Forest transition, Carbon stock, Soil organic carbon, Tree biomassAbstract
Forest transition, the shift from net forest loss to recovery or structural change, has direct implications for soil carbon dynamics and climate regulation, yet Akamkpa Local Government Area, one of Nigeria's remaining tropical rainforest zones, lacks baseline data on how tree characteristics and land-use-driven forest transition affect soil carbon stock. This study quantified carbon stock dynamics across different tree canopies representing forest transition stages in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, with six sample plots randomly established under each of four tree canopies, gmelina, teak, rubber, and oil palm; tree height, girth, and basal cover were measured, and twenty-four composite soil samples (twelve topsoil, twelve subsoil) were analysed for bulk density, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and carbon stock, alongside descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, Spearman correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that oil palm recorded the greatest mean tree height (24.0 m) and girth (1.19 m), while teak recorded the lowest height (15.4 m) and gmelina the lowest girth (0.65 m); differences in tree biomass across species were not statistically significant (p > .05). Soils were acidic (pH 4.8-5.2) with topsoil bulk density ranging from 1.07 to 1.29 g/cm³. Topsoil organic carbon and total nitrogen were highest under gmelina and teak, while available phosphorus was highest under rubber (4.87 mg/kg). Carbon stock was greatest under gmelina (0.044 t/ha), followed by teak (0.031 t/ha), and lowest under rubber (0.026 t/ha), although these differences were not statistically significant. Tree biomass variables showed positive but non-significant associations with carbon stock, and multiple regression explained only 21% of the variation in carbon stock. The study concludes that gmelina and teak canopies offer greater carbon sequestration potential than rubber and oil palm, and recommends protecting tree biomass, conserving litter, and integrating trees with crops or grasses to enhance carbon sequestration in the study area.Downloads
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