Historical Trend Analysis and Future Projections of Rainfall in Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

North-western Ethiopia has the greatest potential for lowland bamboo forest resources. The bamboo forest surrounding the region is important for ecological and economic reasons. However, no specific studies have been conducted to determine the variations of biomass and carbon in lowland bamboo forests across different parts of bamboo culms in both plantations and natural forests. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to know the variation of the above-ground biomass and carbon storage of lowland bamboo (Oxytenathera abyssinica) in different vegetative parts of the culm in the Pawe district, in both natural and planted forests. A total of 108 bamboo culms were destructively sampled (54 from plantations and 54 from natural forests). The samples were then separated into three parts: the culm, the branch, and the leaf portion. Each part's total fresh weight and sample fresh weight were immediately determined. The samples were placed in a paper bag and transported to the laboratory for analysis of their dry weight. The data was analyzed using R software for descriptive statistics to examine biomass variations among vegetative parts and age classes of natural and plantation bamboo forests. Managed bamboo forests show a 17% increase in total biomass production compared to natural forests. The medium-aged bamboo group accumulated more above-ground biomass than the younger and older age groups in both forest types, while density increased with age