Structural Changes are More Important than Compositional Changes in Driving Biomass Loss in Ugandan Forest Fragments

Authors

  • C. Bulafu Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda.
  • D. Barang
  • A.E. Eycott Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 53A, N-5006 Bergen, Norway
  • P. Mucunguzi Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda.
  • R.J. Telford Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 53A, N-5006 Bergen, Norway
  • V. Vandvik Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 53A, N-5006 Bergen, Norway

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v3i2.1840

Abstract

Aboveground biomass (AGB) contained in privately-owned forests is less frequently measured than in forest reserves despite their greater likelihood of degradation. We demonstrate how density changes in contrast to species compositional changes have driven AGB changes in privately-owned fragments in Uganda over two decades. Data on tree assemblages in fragments were obtained by re-sampling a 1990 dataset in 2010 and AGB estimated using generalised allometric equation that incorporates diameter at breast height (DBH) and species-specific wood density. AGB were highly variable between fragments and over time. Structural changes contributed a higher proportion of change in AGB than species compositional changes in all forests. Non-pioneer species constituted over 50% of AGB in reserve forest, in contrast to private forests where pioneer species dominated. Our study demonstrates the potential of private forests to hold comparable AGB to plantation. Reduction in exploitation pressure is required if fragments are to mitigate carbon emissions.

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Published

2014-01-09

How to Cite

Bulafu, C., Barang, D., Eycott, A., Mucunguzi, P., Telford, R., & Vandvik, V. (2014). Structural Changes are More Important than Compositional Changes in Driving Biomass Loss in Ugandan Forest Fragments. Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v3i2.1840

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Reviewed Articles