Abstract:
Rising Carbon in the earth’s system has raised concerns due to the role it plays in
increasing temperatures and inducing climate change. In this light, it is crucial to
investigate the spatio‐ temporal variation of Carbon stocks stored as vegetation biomass
in tropical forests. This study seeks to quantify and estimate changes in the carbon stock
of a selected area based on its land uses, over time.
Allometric formula was used to determine the biomass of plants; this was used to
determine the total carbon stock in the area. Satellite imageries were acquired for three
epochs; 1986 (December), 2000 (January) and 2011(December). Land use classes were
extracted from the imageries. NDVI was also generated for the area. Carbon stocks in
1986 and 2000 were estimated on the basis of historical land use change. To estimate the
potential carbon stock for the area, projection was made based on the trend in land use.
Results showed that present total carbon in the study area is 18,236tonnes/km2 for
builtup, 107,247tonnes/km2 for farmland and 349,593tonnes/km2 with a total above
ground carbon about 29million tonnes in the area. Historic analysis showed a reduction of
about 6 million tonnes between 1986 and 2011. Projections to 2020 estimates that about
1million tonnes will be further lost.
The conclusion stressed the potential impact of reduction above ground carbon stock to
the atmosphere. It recommends halting deforestation rates in the study area to further
mitigate global climate change.
