Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Carbon Pools in Tree Biomass and Soils Under Rotational Woodlot Systems in Eastern Tanzania

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Carbon Sequestration Potential of Agroforestry Systems

Part of the book series: Advances in Agroforestry ((ADAG,volume 8))

Abstract

Landscape approaches to carbon (C) accounting in agriculture, forest, and other land uses are being promoted as a win-win option for integrating climate change mitigation with sustainable rural development. However, limited data on the C sequestration potential of agroforestry systems in the semiarid tropics imply that subsistent farmers may not fully benefit from this opportunity. This chapter quantifies C stocks in biomass and soils in semiarid Morogoro, Tanzania to assess the potential of rotational woodlot systems to sequester C in the soil and offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Carbon levels in native vegetation fallows and forests were used as a reference to evaluate the efficacy of this system to minimize forest degradation and balance CO2 emissions. After a 5 year rotation, wood yield (23–51 Mg C  ha–1) was sufficient to meet household demand for fuelwood. Carbon stocks in the highly productive fallows of Acacia crassicarpa A. Cunn. ex Benth., Acacia leptocarpa A. Cunn. ex Benth., and Acacia mangium Willd. (18–26 Mg ha–1) were similar to those in the Miombo forest reserves. Based on C accumulation rates, it would take 4–9 years for these fallows to recover C lost through forest clearance for agricultural expansion, compared to two or three decades for re-growing miombo woodlands. Tree fallows also enriched the soil organic C (16–26 Mg ha–1), in some cases (e.g., A. mangium) close to the reported value for miombo forest soils (28 Mg C  ha–1). Overall, this study demonstrates the significant contributions of rotational woodlot systems to reduce forest degradation and offset CO2 emissions through on-farm wood supply. However, policies and programs that consider comprehensive approaches to avoid deforestation are needed to take full advantage of this system for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ali MS, Malimbwi RE, Iddi S (1997) Comparison of volume production, basic density and stem quality between A. mangium and A. auriculiformis grown in Zanzibar. J Trop For Sci 10:10–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson JM, Ingram JSI (1993) Tropical soil biology and fertility: a handbook of methods, 2nd edn. C.A.B. International, Wallingford, 221 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Biran A, Abbot J, Mace R (2004) Families and firewood: a comparative analysis of the costs and benefits of children in firewood collection and use in two rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hum Ecol 32:1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doran JC, Turnbull JW, Martensz PN, Thomson LAJ, Hall N (1997) Introduction to the species’ digests. In: Doran JC, Turnbull JW (eds) Australian trees and shrubs: species for land rehabilitation and farm planting in the tropics. ACIAR Monograph No. 24, pp 89–384

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2007) The state of the world’s forests. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 144 p. Available at http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0773e/a0773e00.HTM. Accessed 5 Oct 2010

  • Franzel S (2004) Financial analysis of agroforestry practices. In: Alvalapati JRR, Mercer DE (eds.) Valuing agroforestry systems. Kluwer Academic, The Netherland, pp 9–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Funder M (2009) Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD): an overview of risks and opportunities for the poor. Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Report No. 21, 64 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaac ME, Gordon AM, Thevathasan N, Oppong SK, Quashie-Sam J (2005) Temporal changes in soil carbon and nitrogen in West African multistrata agroforestry systems: a chronosequence of pools and fluxes. Agroforest Syst 65:23–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jama BA, Mutegi JK, Njui AN (2008) Potential of improved fallows to increase household and regional fuelwood supply: evidence from western Kenya. Agroforest Syst 73:155–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamwenda GJ (2002) Ngitili agrosilvipastoral systems in the United Republic of Tanzania. Unasylva 211:46–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaonga M, Bayliss-Smith TP (2009) Carbon pools in tree biomass and the soil in improved fallows in eastern Zambia. Agroforest Syst 76:37–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimaro AA, Timmer VR, Mugasha AG, Chamshama SOA, Kimaro DA (2007) Nutrient use efficiency and biomass production of tree species for rotational woodlot systems in Semiarid Morogoro, Tanzania. Agroforest Syst 71:175–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimaro AA, Timmer VR, Chamshama SOA, Mugasha AG, Kimaro DA (2008) Differential response to tree fallows in rotational woodlot systems: post-fallow maize yield, nutrient uptake, and soil nutrients. Agric Ecosyst Environ 125:73–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kityo P (2004) Productivity and utilization of natural fuel wood resources: an evaluation of the current situation in some parts of Gaza Province, Mozambique. M.Sc. thesis, International Institute of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, Enschede, The Netherlands. 57 p. Available at http://www.itc.nl/library/papers_2004/msc/nrm/peter_kityo.pdf. Accessed 5 Oct 2010

  • Kwesiga F, Akinnifesi FK, Mafongoya PL, Mcdermott MH, Agumya A (2003) Agroforestry research and development in southern Africa during the 1990s: review and challenges ahead. Agroforest Syst 59:173–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2003) Offsetting global CO2 emissions by restoration of degraded soils and intensification of world agriculture and forestry. Land Degrad Develop 14:309–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luhende R, Nyadzi GI, and Malimbwi RE (2006) Comparison of wood basic density and basal area of 5-year-old Acacia crassicarpa, A. julifera, A. leptocarpa, Leucaena pallida and Senna siamea in rotational woodlots trials in western Tabora, Tanzania. NFT News: Improvement and culture of nitrogen fixing trees. 9: 5–6. Available at http://www.iufro.org/science/divisions/division-2/20000/20800/20802/newsletters/. Accessed 10 Mar 2009

  • Luoga EJ, Witkowski ET, Balkwill K (2000) Economics of charcoal production in Miombo woodlands of eastern Tanzania: some hidden costs associated with commercialization of the resources. Ecol Econ 35:243–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luoga EJ, Witkowski ET, Balkwill K (2002) Harvested and standing wood stocks in protected and communal Miombo woodlands of eastern Tanzania. For Ecol Manag 164:15–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makundi WR (2001) Potential and cost of carbon sequestration in the Tanzanian forest sector. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob Chn 6:335–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malimbwi RE, Solberg B, Luoga E (1994) Estimation of biomass and volume in miombo woodland at Kitulangalo Forest Reserve, Tanzania. J Trop For Sci 7(2):230–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Monela GC, Kihiyo VBMS (1999) Wood energy in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Palo M, Uusivuori J (eds.) World forest society and environment. Kluwer Academic, The Netherlands, pp 153–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Mountinho P, Santillli M, Schwartzman S, Rodriguues L (2005) Why ignore tropical deforestation? A proposal for including forests conservation in the Kyoto Protocol. Unasylva 56:27–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Mwampamba TH (2007) Has the woodfuel crisis returned? Urban charcoal consumption in Tanzania and its implications to present and future forest availability. Energy Policy 35:4221–4234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nair PKR, Kumar BM, Nair VD (2009) Agroforestry as a strategy for carbon sequestration. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 172:10–23

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NASCO (National Agroforestry Steering Committee) (2006) Popular version of National Agroforestry Strategy. Available at http://www.tafori.org/Read.Aspx?ID=100003. Accessed 2 July 2010

  • Negra C and Ashton R (2009) Roadmap for terrestrial carbon science: research needs for carbon management in agriculture, forestry and other land uses. The Terrestrial Carbon Group Project. Available at http://www.terrestrialcarbon.org/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/Policy%20Brief%207_%20Roadmap%20for%20Terrestrial%20Carbon%20Science_ACh%20100304.pdf. Accessed 30 June 2010

  • Ngulube MR (1994) Evaluation of Gliricidia sepium provenances for alley cropping in Malawi. For Ecol Manag 64:191–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyadzi GI, Otsyina RM, Banzi FM, Bakengesa SS, Gama BM, Mbwambo L, Asenga D (2003) Rotational woodlot technology in northwestern Tanzania: tree species and crop performance. Agroforest Syst 59:253–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orwa C, Mutua A, Kindt R, Jamnadass R, Anthony S (2009) Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0. Available at http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/treedbs/treedatabases.asp. Accessed 10 Nov 2009

  • Palm C, Tomich T, Van Noordwijk M, Vosti S, Gockowski J, Alegre J, Verchot L (2004) Mitigating GHG emissions in the humid tropics: case studies from the Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn Program (ASB). Environ Dev Sust 6:145–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramadhani T, Otsyina R, Franzel S (2002) Improving household income and reducing deforestation using rotational woodlots in Tabora district, Tanzania. Agr Ecosys Environ 89(3):229–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samek JH, Skole DL, Klinhom U, Butthep C, Navanugraha C, Uttaruk P, Laosuwan T (2011) Inpang carbon bank in northeast Thailand: a community effort in carbon trading from agroforestry projects. In: Kumar BM, Nair PKR (eds) Carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems: opportunities and challenges. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 263–280

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc (2000) SAS version 8. SAS Institute Inc, Cary

    Google Scholar 

  • Sileshi G, Akinnifesi FK, Ajayi OC, Chakeredza S, Kaonga M, Matakala PW (2007) Contribution of agroforestry to ecosystem services in the Miombo eco-region of eastern and southern Africa. Afr J Environm Sci Technol 4:68–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Skutsch M, Zahabu E, Lovett J, McCall M, Singh SP, Trines E, Verplanke J, Karky BS, van Laake P, Banskota K, Basnet R, Ba L (2008) Dealing with emissions from dry forest degradation: a low cost community-based approach. Policy Paper no. 2: Kyoto: Think Global, Act Local project. Available at http://www.communitycarbonforestry.org/NewPublications/Policy%20note%20operationalising%20reduced%20degradation%20in%20REDD%20version%204.pdf. Accessed 30 Oct 2009

  • Solomon D, Lehmann J, Zech W (2000) Land use effects on soil organic matter properties of chromic Luvisols in semi-arid northern Tanzania: carbon, nitrogen, lignin and carbohydrates. Agr Ecosys Environ 78:203–213

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swallow B, van Noordwijk M, Dewi S, Murdiyarso D, White D, Gockowski J, Hyman G, Budidarsono S, Robiglio V, Meadu V, Ekadinata A, Agus F, Hairiah K, Mbile PN, Sonwa DJ, Weise S (2007) Opportunities for avoided deforestation with sustainable benefits. An interim report. ASB partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins, Nairobi, Kenya, 42 p. Available at http://www.asb.cgiar.org/PDFwebdocs/Report-on-Opportunities-for-Avoided-Deforestation-Sustainable-Benefits-web-low.pdf. Accessed 5 Oct 2010

  • Takimoto A, Nair PKR, Nair VD (2008) Carbon stock and sequestration potential of traditional and improved agroforestry systems in the West African Sahel. Agr Ecosys Environ 125:159–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • TNRF (Tanzania Natural Resource Forum) (2010) TZ‐REDD Newsletter. Issue 1 May 2010. Available at http://www.tnrf.org/files/E-INFO_REDD_Newsletter_Tanzania-1_May_2010.PDF. Accessed 2 July 2010

  • Tole S (1998) Sources of deforestation in tropical developing countries. Environm Manag 22:19–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • URT (United Republic of Tanzania) (1992) Tanzania energy policy. Available at http://www.tzonline.org/pdf/theenergypolicyoftanzania.pdf. Accessed 2 July 2010

  • URT (United Republic of Tanzania) (1998) Tanzania forest policy. Available at http://www.tzonline.org/pdf/nationalforestpolicy.pdf. Accessed 2 July 2010

  • URT (United Republic of Tanzania) (2009) National Framework for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). Available at http://www.reddtz.org/images/pdf/redd%20framework%2009_new.pdf. Accessed 2 Oct 2009

  • van Noordwijk M, Suyamto DA, Lusiana B, Ekadinata A, Hairiah K (2008) Facilitating agroforestation of landscapes for sustainable benefits: tradeoffs between stocks and local development benefits in Indonesia according to the FALLOW model. Agr Ecosyst Environ 126:98–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verchot LV, van Noordwijik M, Kandji S, Tomich T, Ong C, Albrecht A, Mackensen J, Bantilan C, Anupama KV, Palm C (2007) Climate change: linking adaptation and mitigation through agroforestry. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob Chn 12:901–918

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker SM, Desanker PV (2004) The impact of land use on soil carbon in Miombo woodlands of Malawi. For Ecol Manag 203:345–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickens GE, Seif El Din, AG, Sita, G, Nahal, I (1995) Role of Acacia species in the rural economy of dry Africa and the Near East. FAO conservation guide 27. Available at http://www.fao.org/docrep/V5360E/v5360e0f.htm. Accessed 5 Oct 2010

  • Williams M, Ryan CM, Rees RM, Sambane E, Fernando J, Grace J (2008) Carbon sequestration and biodiversity of re-growing Miombo woodlands in Mozambique. For Ecol Manag 254:145–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiskerke W, Dornburg T, Faaij APC, Malimbwi RE, Rubanza CDK (2010) Cost-benefit analysis of biomass energy supply option for rural smallholders in semiarid East Africa Shinyanga region in Tanzania. J Renew Sust Energy Rev 14:148–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahabu EM (2008) Sinks and sources: a strategy to involve forest communities in Tanzania in global climate policy. Ph.D. thesis, University of Twente, The Netherlands, 235 p. Available at http://doc.utwente.nl/68918/. Accessed 5 Oct 2010

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on the text. The authors also acknowledge support from research collaborators at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry (J. Msalilwa, E. Kafui, and F.T. Sogomba, N. Greyson, M. Hamisi, and N. Masanika) and at the University of Toronto (V.R. Timmer and Y. Teng) on earlier studies related to this chapter. Financial support from The African Forestry Research Network (AFORNET) is greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada

    A. A. Kimaro

  2. Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada

    M. E. Isaac

  3. Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Department of Forest Biology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania

    S. A. O. Chamshama

Authors
  1. A. A. Kimaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. E. Isaac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. A. O. Chamshama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. A. Kimaro .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kau Po, Thrissur, Kerala,, 680 656, India

    B. Mohan Kumar

  2. School of Forest Resources &, Conservation, University of Florida, Newins-Ziegler Hall 351, Gainesville, 32611-0410, Florida, USA

    P. K. Ramachandran Nair

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kimaro, A.A., Isaac, M.E., Chamshama, S.A.O. (2011). Carbon Pools in Tree Biomass and Soils Under Rotational Woodlot Systems in Eastern Tanzania. In: Kumar, B., Nair, P. (eds) Carbon Sequestration Potential of Agroforestry Systems. Advances in Agroforestry, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1630-8_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation