Management, Growth, and Carbon Storage in Miombo Woodlands of Tanzania

Abstract

Despite the local livelihoods support function provided by miombo woodlands of Tanzania under participatory forest management, its growth still has potential for carbon storage and sequestration attractive to REDD+ initiatives. This study has revealed the average growth to be significant, despite the local community livelihoods support function. However, climate change mitigation strategy needs to be more innovative to optimize carbon storage and local livelihoods' potentials in forest-dependent communities like miombo woodlands. Carbon credits resulting from the increased carbon stock and sequestration should contribute to sustainable development. This should also help promote participatory forest management and secure miombo woodland products and services upon which billions of people depend.

"Patterns of Forest Loss in One of Africa’s Last Remaining Wilderness Areas: Niassa National Reserve (Northern Mozambique) "

“…Together, the NNR and the Selous Game Reserve form a massive ~150,000 km 2 trans-frontier conservation area (Noe, 2015). The region is renowned for having the largest and best preserved tracts of Miombo woodland left in Africa (Maquia et al, 2013;Ribeiro et al, 2008a;Soto, 2009;Mayaux et al, 2004), which are globally important for carbon storage and sequestration Lupala et al, 2014). These woodlands also provide critical habitat for many of Africa's wide ranging species and threatened mega-fauna (Mpanduji et al, 2002;Bauer et al, 2015;Riggio et al, 2013), supporting Mozambique's largest populations of savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana), lions (Panthera leo), critically endangered wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and a broad assemblage of Miombo species (Booth & Dunham, 2014;Begg & Begg, 2012;Begg & Begg, 2007;Grossmann et al, 2014).…”

Feasibility of Community Management of Miombo Woodlands for Carbon Project in Southern Highlands of Tanzania

“…Miombo woodland is among the most important ecosystems for socioeconomic and environmental roles [1,2]. It is home to megafauna assemblage and among the world's highbiodiversity hotspots [3,4].…”

“…It is home to megafauna assemblage and among the world's highbiodiversity hotspots [3,4]. The role of miombo woodland in global carbon cycle is increasingly recognized [2,[5][6][7][8]. Between 0.5 and 0.9 tons of carbon ha −1 year −1 are being sequestered in miombo woodland, with maximum sequestration in young miombo [5,8,9].…”

“…Through CBFM, local communities establish clear rules for sustainable resource use and respond to deforestation signals more rapidly [2,20]. This is important for the successful management of African miombo woodlands.…”

Untitled

“…Together, the NNR and the Selous Game Reserve form a massive ~150,000 km 2 trans-frontier conservation area (Noe, 2015). The region is renowned for having the largest and best preserved tracts of Miombo woodland left in Africa (Maquia et al, 2013;Ribeiro et al, 2008a;Soto, 2009;Mayaux et al, 2004), which are globally important for carbon storage and sequestration (Ribeiro et al, 2013;Lupala et al, 2014). These woodlands also provide critical habitat for many of Africa's wide ranging species and threatened mega-fauna (Mpanduji et al, 2002;Bauer et al, 2015;Riggio et al, 2013), supporting Mozambique's largest populations of savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana), lions (Panthera leo), critically endangered wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and a broad assemblage of Miombo species (Booth & Dunham, 2014;Begg & Begg, 2012;Begg & Begg, 2007;Grossmann et al, 2014).…”