Carbon Stocks of Coarse Woody Debris in Central African Tropical Forests

• DOI: 10.22158/se.v3n2p142
• Publication Date: 2018-04-08T01:58:04Z
• Authors: Romeo Ekoungoulou; Shukui Niu; Fousseni Folega; Donatien Nzala; Xiaodong Liu
• Keywords: Coarse Woody Debris; Tropical rain forest

<p><em>Coarse </em><em>W</em><em>oody </em><em>D</em><em>ebris (CWD; defined here as fallen and standing dead trees tree branches) is a critical-structural functional component of forest ecosystems that typically comprises large proportion total aboveground carbon storage. Coarse woody debris estimation for the tropics uncommon, little known about how storage in CWD will respond to climate change. Given predominant role tropical forests play global cycling, this information gap compromises efforts forecast change impacts on terrestrial balance. In study, we aimed identify variation </em><em>C</em><em>oarse (CWD) stocks between types (Old-growth selective logging forests) among plots Ipendja mixed lowland terra firme rainforest (central Africa), examined consequence estimation. The study area located at management unit (UFA), close Dongou district (Likouala Department), Northern Republic Congo. Data collection were done with eight rectangular plots, each 25 x 200 m (0.5 ha). method line intercepts sampling has been used studied site. A number 135 samples diameter </em><em>³</em><em> 10 cm have recorded. It was obvious stock coarse Mokelimwaekili site (mean: 19.96 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>; sum: 79.84 ha<sup>-1</sup>) higher than those Sombo 8.9 35 ha<sup>-1</sup>).</em><em> </em><em>There significance difference evergreen across two plots. </em><em>This finding suggests values vary separate reference should be adopted estimates undisturbed different Congo basin. Different represent variability contribute reducing uncertainties current central African ecosystems.</em><em></em></p>