Abstract:
Scattered trees within farmland are common land-use in Ethiopia and many parts of the tropics.
These systems play an important role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, through carbon
sequestration. Therefore, in the eastern part a little information compiled, generally and specifically
in the study district don’t any information available concerning woody species diversity of scattered
trees on farmland and its role in carbon sequestration. This study objectives, was conducted to
assess woody species diversity and carbon stock of scattered trees on farmland along elevation
gradient in Gemechis district. In order to achieve these objectives, the data of woody species
inventory was carried out on 27 plots (each 100mx100m) on farmland. A data was administered to
gather information on woody species and soil analyzed using SPSS version 20 at 5% significance
level. For woody species ≥5cm DBH, measurements of DBH and trees height were taken. Woody
density, frequency, basal area and importance value were computed to characterize structure of
woody species. Species diversity and biomass carbon were also determined. Biomass carbon was
estimated using allometric equations. The study indicated that the woody species diversity indices
were higher at Kuni Segeriya and the lowest at Ela Oda. The scattered trees in farmland in the study
area have stored 280.62 Mt C ha–1
and 31.18±1.35 Mt C ha–1
total carbon stock and mean carbon
stock, respectively. The woody species in farmland stored relatively higher aboveground carbon
which could help in climate change mitigation. Therefore, paying equal attention to woody species
in farmland as to forest is a better solution in reducing carbon emission
