Assessing tree succession, species diversity and carbon sequestration potentials in off-reserve secondary forests for REDD+ implementation in Ghana
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Ghana is losing its primary forest, mostly forest reserves at an alarming rate. Secondary forests play a vital role in tropical landscapes, but few studies exist to assess their regeneration pathways and carbon sequestration in Ghana. We sought to find out the regeneration potentials, species diversity and carbon stocks accumulation of off-reserve secondary forests in the Moist Semi-deciduous and Dry Semi-deciduous zones. Four age classes were studied; 0-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 15+ years. Four plots with three replications were used for each age class. Nested plots were chosen; 33 m x 33 m for trees (dbh≥ 5 cm) 10 m x 10 m for saplings (≥1m tall and dbh <5cm) and 2 m x 2 m for seedlings. Age had significant differences in tree (dbh≥ 5 cm) density and basal area between the sites but not on sapling and seedling densities. A total of 129 tree species with dbh ≥5cm belonging to 95 genera and 40 families were identified. Mean Shannon-Weiner diversity index of trees (dbh ≥ 5cm) was 3.6±0.2 and 3.3±0.3 for the Moist Semi-deciduous and Dry Semi-deciduous zones respectively. Both age and forest site had significant effect on aboveground carbon accumulation with age of forest having more significance than climatic conditions. Age of a secondary forest has more effect on the species composition than climate. The secondary forest depicts the characteristic of young growth where the tree densities of most trees are confined to dbh= 5- 10cm in both zones and the potential of rapid recovery of species and carbon accumulation represents an important source of timber and carbon sink. The strong presence of regeneration portrays the potential for
carbon sequestration under Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) if secondary forests are managed well in Ghana. Collaborative management of secondary forests with farmers and good forest polices can help Ghana achieve benefits such as timber, woodfuel, and carbon to participate in REDD+.
Keywords: [Deforestation and forest degradation, REDD+, secondary forest, Climate change, Landscape management]\
ID: 3617260