Spatial distribution and ecosytem carbon stock of
- 1Natural Forest Research, Ethiopian Forestry Development, Bahir Dar Center, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
- 2Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O.Box 79, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
- 3School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Abstract
Plantation forests, like Acacia decurrens , are even-aged stands deliberately established by humans, with their expansion largely driven by household demand for charcoal, soil fertility improvement, and efforts to rehabilite degraded lands. Despite its importance, the spatial distribution, LULC changes, and full ecosystem-level carbon stock potential of the species remain largely overlooked. Therefore, this study addressed these gaps by analyzing the spatial distribution, LULC changes, and carbon stock potential of A. decurrens plantations in the Guder Watershed, Northwest Ethiopia. Spatial distribution was assessed using Global Positioning System (GPS)-based presence-only data and geostatistical techniques, including Spatial Autocorrelation (Moran’s I) and Hotspot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*). LULC changes for 1991, 2002, and 2020 was mapped using supervised maximum likelihood classification of Landsat imagery and post-classification comparison. Carbon stocks was quantified through a field inventory and laboratory analysis. Tree diameter and height were measured to estimate AGB using allometric equations, while BGB was estimated using a root-to-shoot ratio applied to AGB. Litter and soil samples (0–30 cm depth) were collected from field plots and processed to determine organic carbon content and soil bulk density. Results showed significant spatial clustering of A. decurrens plantations (Moran’s I = 0.97), with hotspots (z > +2.58, 99% confidence level) clustered in the southern highlands and coldspots (z < -2.58) concentrated in the northern lowlands. Between 1991 and 2020, A.decurrens plantation cover increased by 15.28 percentage points (expanding from 10.70% to 25.98%), primarily replacing grassland, which declined by 13.73 percentage points (from 24.59% to 10.86%). The mean total ecosystem carbon stock was 140.16 t C ha⁻¹ (513.92 t CO₂e ha⁻¹). Although A. decurrens enhances carbon sequestration and ecological recovery, its spread into croplands and grasslands may threaten local biodiversity and food security, highlighting the need for balanced and sustainable land-use planning.
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BibTeX
@article{getahun2026spatial,
title = {{Spatial distribution and ecosytem carbon stock of}},
author = {Zelalem Nurlign Getahun and Nega Tassie Abate and Anteneh Belayneh Desta},
journal = {Trees, Forests and People},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101529},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101529},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Spatial distribution and ecosytem carbon stock of
AU - Zelalem Nurlign Getahun
AU - Nega Tassie Abate
AU - Anteneh Belayneh Desta
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Trees, Forests and People
DO - 10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101529
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101529
AB - Plantation forests, like Acacia decurrens , are even-aged stands deliberately established by humans, with their expansion largely driven by household demand for charcoal, soil fertility improvement, and efforts to rehabilite degraded lands. Despite its importance, the spatial distribution, LULC changes, and full ecosystem-level carbon stock potential of the species remain largely overlooked. Therefore, this study addressed these gaps by analyzing the spatial distribution, LULC changes, and carbon stock potential of A. decurrens plantations in the Guder Watershed, Northwest Ethiopia. Spatial distribution was assessed using Global Positioning System (GPS)-based presence-only data and geostatistical techniques, including Spatial Autocorrelation (Moran’s I) and Hotspot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*). LULC changes for 1991, 2002, and 2020 was mapped using supervised maximum likelihood classification of Landsat imagery and post-classification comparison. Carbon stocks was quantified through a field inventory and laboratory analysis. Tree diameter and height were measured to estimate AGB using allometric equations, while BGB was estimated using a root-to-shoot ratio applied to AGB. Litter and soil samples (0–30 cm depth) were collected from field plots and processed to determine organic carbon content and soil bulk density. Results showed significant spatial clustering of A. decurrens plantations (Moran’s I = 0.97), with hotspots (z > +2.58, 99% confidence level) clustered in the southern highlands and coldspots (z < -2.58) concentrated in the northern lowlands. Between 1991 and 2020, A.decurrens plantation cover increased by 15.28 percentage points (expanding from 10.70% to 25.98%), primarily replacing grassland, which declined by 13.73 percentage points (from 24.59% to 10.86%). The mean total ecosystem carbon stock was 140.16 t C ha⁻¹ (513.92 t CO₂e ha⁻¹). Although A. decurrens enhances carbon sequestration and ecological recovery, its spread into croplands and grasslands may threaten local biodiversity and food security, highlighting the need for balanced and sustainable land-use planning.
SN - 2666-7193
ER -