Effect of the replacement of tropical forests with tree plantations on soil organic carbon levels in the Jomoro district, Ghana

• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-013-1928-1
• Publication Date: 2013-10-22T19:51:06Z
• Authors: Tommaso Chiti; Elisa Grieco; Lucia Perugini; Ana Rey; Riccardo Valentini
• Keywords: Soil carbon; Secondary forest; Deforestation

Background and aims In the Jomoro district in Ghana, tree plantations were the first cause of deforestation in the past, drastically reducing the area occupied by primary forests. The aim of this study was to quantify soil organic carbon (SOC) losses due to a change in land use from primary forest to tree plantations (cocoa, coconut, rubber, oil palm) on the different substrates of the district. Secondary forests and mixed plantations were also included in the study.