Abstract

Talemos Seta and Sebsebe Demissew

Tree species composition, similarity index and aboveground carbon (AGC) stocks of agroforestry system were assessed in Wenago district, Ethiopia. A total of 20 agroforests were surveyed through a stratified random sampling within four PAs (Peasant Associations). A sampling plot of 900 m2 was used in each agroforest for plant data (trees with DBH ≥ 15 cm) collection. Shannon-Wiener diversity (H') and Sorensen’s similarity indices were used to compute species diversity and species composition respectively. Aboveground carbon stocks of trees were computed using allometric relationships, assuming C as 50% of biomass. A total of 24 tree species under 24 genera and 19 families were identified. The highest stem density (564.4 individuals ha-1 ) was recorded in the 40-60 cm DBH class. The total value of the AGB is 37.31 t ha-1 . The density of trees and DBH classes have weak correlation with standing AGB (R 2 = 25%, P< 0.001) and strong correlations (R2 = 64%, P<0.001) between species richness and aboveground biomass. The highest AGB (15.8 t ha-1 ) was recorded in the DBH range of 80- 100 cm. Thus, it gives a highlight for responsible bodies to consider the role of agroforestry system particularly for climate change mitigation strategies.