CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Carbon sequestration is used to describe both natural and deliberate processes by which CO2 is

either removed from the atmosphere or diverted from emission sources and stored in the ocean,

terrestrial environment (vegetation, soil and sediments) and geological formations (UNFCC,

2007; USGS, 2022). Terrestrial carbon sequestration or biological sequestration is typically

accomplished through forest and soil conservation practices that enhance storage of carbon (such

as restoring and establishing new forests, wetlands and grassland or by reducing CO 2 emission).

Forest ecosystem are very important because they sequester close to 40% of above and below

ground organic carbon. Carbon sequestration could reduce CO2 emission by up to 55% by 2100.

(Adeyemi and Adeleke, 2020; Mwakisunga and Majule, 2012).

Urban forests are made up of trees, shrubs and other vegetative covers that play important role in

human life (Agbelade and Adeniyi, 2019; Raji and Babalola 2018). The importance of urban

forests on our lives and the environment can never be underestimated.

Climate change directly impacts the world, it has caused an increase in death, infections and

diseases (Turner - Skoff and Cavender, 2019). thus, trees are proven to mitigate temperature

changes when planted properly (Turner-Skoff and Cavender, 2019; Ogbehe et al., 2019). The

mitigation of climate change can be done through evapotranspiration by intercepting and

absorbing light thus making the air cool (Turner-Skoff and Cavender, 2019). Trees can also

mitigate climate change through the removal of greenhouse gases such as CO 2, NO and SO from

the atmosphere (Ja-Kwak et al., 2020; Raji and Babalola, 2018). Trees are capable of removing

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these gases by absorbing of air-bone particle on their leaf surface and absorbing gaseous

pollutants through stomata thus, helping in the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere

(Ja-Kwak et al., 2020). Urban trees contribute to improve human wellbeing through natural

purification of air pollutants and particulate matter thus, creating a conducive environment for

living (Ja-Kwak et al., 2020; Cavender and Turner-Skoff, 2019). Trees have also been proven to

reduce negative thoughts, reduce symptoms of depression, better reported moods and satisfaction

have been recorded when patients were treated therapeutically by viewing trees ( Briki and

Majid, 2020 ;Cavender and Turner-Skoff, 2019). Studies have also shown that enjoyment was

higher within green environment than red environment and exposure to green forest conduction

displays lower levels of perceived excertism, total mood disturbance and anger. Thus, green

environment increases one’s wellbeing (Briki and Majid 2020). Trees are one of the major

sources of sustenance such as food, sugar, spices, beverages etc., which include edible fruits,

vegetables, tree legumes etc., several trees such Algaroba ( Prosopi chinensis), Tamarind

(Tamarindus indica), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), Walnut, (Juglan nigra), Coconut

( Cocus nucifera), Date palm tree (Phoenix dactilefera), oil palm (Elias guinensis) are sources of

food for many people worldwide (Seth, 2004).

Forest trees are also a great source of medicine (Habibu-Rahman et al., 2011; Seth, 2004). The

medicinal plants have been used by humans for long. 70-80% of people rely on the traditional

medicine for primary health needs (Habibu-Rahman et al., 2011). Trees such as Bauchinia,

Variegak, C. fistula, C. robusta, Sacac indica are been used extensively for drugs the stems and

roots and many trees used as a source of medicine and essential oils (Seth 2004). Trees are also a

source of timber (Chidumayo and Marunda 2010; Sitoe et al., 2010). Timber products constitute

the base for small scale industries in many communities including canoe making, manufacture of

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household utensils, (Chidumayo and Manuda, 2010), animal enclosures, granaries, poles, roofs

(Sitoe et al 2010). This has contributed economically to local communities (Chidumayo and

Marunda, 2010). Trees also serve as a source of income for many people (Nzeh et al., 2010).

Trees provide a source of employment to surplus labour condition of growing agricultural

incomes. It has been estimated that rural non-farm work provides 20 - 45% of full-time

employment in rural area. This is very vital in some developing countries such as Nigeria (Nze

et al., 2010) Forests products play an important role in international market. Global market for

timber is estimated to reach about $40billion and is growing steadily (Sitoe et al., 2010). Trees

are also a source for paper production. Trees and grasses used in paper production has reached

400m tons annually. In the future, paper production is expected to increased. Paper is

manufactured from wood cellulose pulps. One ton of paper is produced from 2.5 tons of wood

(Dudley et al 1995).

The importance of trees can never be underestimated. The presence of trees in the world is very

important for sustainable living. Tree forests play a key role in providing a habitat for wild life,

recreational purpose (Seth, 2004), wind breaks (Ogbehe et al, 2020), fodder source (Agbelade et

al., 2017) and many more.

1.2 Statement of Problem

According to IPCC (2021) global temperature arise by 1.5 OC by the decade. Emission of

greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.10C of warming.

Human activities such as deforestation has led to the decrease in plant species worldwide

(Adeniji et al., 2021; Ogwu et al., 2016; Agbelede and Adeniyi 2019). Activities such as cutting

of trees for firewood, charcoal production, infrastructural development (Ogwu et al., 2016;

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Abiola et al., 2016). Medicinal uses by debarking of trees have also led to decrease of tree

species and population worldwide (Adaaja et al., 2017). All these can cause several

environmental problems such as erosion, loss of fertility, change in climate condition, extinction

of species, loss of medicinal plants and fruits etc. (Abiola et al., 2016).

1.2 Justification

The identification of the status of forest in terms of carbon storing capacity is very crucial. The

assessment of carbon stocks can be aimed at a specific area, it’s vegetation, land use or specific

activities affecting the forest (Jatir, 2012). After an extensive investigation, no research has been

carried out on carbon sequestration of Mount Patti, and no much research works have been

carried out on carbon sequestration within Kogi State. Thus knowing the amount of carbon

sequestered by the trees and soil at the study area, Mount Patti will be of great importance. This

will be of immense boon in providing vital knowledge on carbon sequestration and for pivoting

further research works aimed at evaluating the density of forest reserve required in balancing

carbon sequestration in mitigating the effect of climate change.

1.3 Aims and objectives

The aim of the investigation is to assess the amount of carbon sequestration of the trees and soil

at Mountain Patti.

The objectives are:

1-To assess the carbon storage of the tree species,

2-To determine the carbon sequestration of the soil,

3-To outline the significance of the trees on the mountain and the dangers in deforestation.

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1.4 Hypothesis

1-There is no carbon sequestration by the tree species/there is carbon sequestration by the tree

species.

2-There is carbon storage in the soil/there is carbon storage in the storage

3-There is no significant difference of trees in the study area/there is significant difference of

trees on the study area.

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 CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study Area

3.1.1 Location

The study will be carried out at Mountain Patti, Lokoja, Kogi state. Lokoja is located on latitude

7°45'N-7°51 N of the Equator and longitude 6°41'E and 6°45'E of prime meridian (Tanko et al.,

2019).

Mount Patti has a height of about 458.3 m above sea level. It is about 15km 2 at the top.

(Ogunkolu, 2020). It is a flat-topped rocky terrain (Tanko et al., 2019). It falls between latitude

7048-7057N and longitude 6042-6045E (Ogunkolo, 2020).

3.1.2 Climate

Based on Koppen Climate classification scheme, Lokoja city belong to the tropical wet and dry

climate. The wet season of the city is majorly from May to October while the dry season spans

from November to April. The weather is generally hot throughout the year. The average

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maximum temperature is 390C while the average minimum temperature is 22 0C. The average

annual rainfall is 1500.00mm (Oluwatimilehin et al., 2022). The relative humidity is about 30%

(dry season) and 70% (wet season). The average wind speed is 89.9kolm. (Olatunde et al., 2017).

3.1.3 Vegetation

The main vegetation type in Lokoja is guinea or parkland Savannah. It has tall grasses with few

trees. The trees are green in rainy season with fresh trees but shed their leaves in dry season. The

grasses grow tall during rainy but dry up in dry season (Olatunde et al., 2017). Mount Patti has

several trees of different species. Although, the mountain is been deforested and the trees are

mowed down especially during dry season.

3.1.4 Soil

The soil types in Lokoja are characterized by a sandy texture overlying a weekly structured

accumulation. The flood plains of River Niger and Benue in Lokoja are made up of

hydromorphic soils that contain a mixture of coarse alluvial and colluvial deposits (Olatunde et

al., 2017). Mountain Patti is a flat-topped rocky terrain (Tanko et a.l, 2019). The rock found

within Mount Patti belong to Lokoja formation, which comprise of conglomerates, massive

pebbly coarse-grained sandstones, clay stones, siltstones, ironstones and lateritic capping (Omali

et al., 2011).

3.1.5 Socio-economic Status

Lokoja is the administrative headquarters of Kogi State. Some of the economic activities carried

out by the inhabitants of Lokoja are fishing, farming, lumbering, trading, boat making etc

(Olatunde and Omachona, 2019).

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3.2 Data Collection

Data collection will be carried out as outlined by Komolafe et al., (2020).

The mountain will be divided into five physiognomies viz., Mountain top, Old market

region/township, Felele region, Crusher region and Lokongoma/phase 2 region.

Soil Sample Collection

Soil samples will be collected from different depths (0–15 cm, 15– 30 cm, 30–45 cm and 45–60

cm) at three points along a transect of 100 m (that is, apex, middle and basal of the line transect)

from each physiognomy of the mountain. Samples will be thoroughly mixed, air−dried and

analyzed separately. Organic Carbon will be determined using Walkey Black procedure.

Collection of understory and standing litter samples: To estimate the Carbon stock in the

growth forms of the understory such as herbs and shrubs, five transects will be systematically

laid in different points along each physiognomy of the mountain and a quadrant of 1 m × 1 m

will be established at every 2 m point to identify the understory plant species present in each

plot. Aboveground biomass will be collected by clipping at 2 cm above the ground. The

collected shrubs and herbaceous plants will be transported to the laboratory, oven dried to

constant weight at 70 °C and weighed. The loss on ignition (LOI) will be used for estimating the

organic Carbon content. Biomass of other growth forms will be calculated in all the sites by

multiplying the total concentrations Carbon with matching weight (dry), and designated in

tones/hectare.

To quantify Carbon stock in standing litter, samples will be taken randomly from five points

within each physiognomy with the aid of 0.5 m x 0.5 m quadrat. Litter will be sorted based on

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its components (wood, leaves, reproductive parts, and trash), dried in the oven at 60°C until

constant weight is achieved, and milled for analysis. The milled component of the standing litter

(leaf and wood) will be analyzed for organic Carbon. Other component part (reproductive and

trash) will be jettisoned. Biomass of standing floor litter will be calculated for all the sites by

multiplying the total concentrations Carbon with the matching weight (dry), and designated in

tones/hectare.

Woody sample collection: Four plots of 25 m × 25 m will be randomly selected within each

physiognomy of the mountain. All living trees within these plots will be identified. Those with a

breast height diameter (DBH) such as DBH ≥ 10 cm will be measured and their total height will

be measured using Haglof clinometer. Three wood cores 1 m and 1.4 m above ground level

from each species will be collected using an increment borer. Core volume will be measured by

water displacement and anhydrous mass will be obtained after drying to constant weight at

105°C.

3.3 Data Preparation

Soil bulk density will be determined as the ratio of oven dry mass (105°C to constant weight)

and the sample to its volume.

𝜌=m/v

Soil Carbon stock (SCS) will be calculated using the equation proposed by Broos and Baldock

(2008).

𝑆𝑂𝐶 = 𝑂𝐶 × 𝜌 × 𝑑 (Goslee et al., 2016)

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where SOC = Soil organic Carbon (tha−1) OC = Organic C content (%) 𝜌 = soil bulk density

(gcm−3) d = sample collection depth (m).

Carbon stock in both understory and standing litter will be calculated by multiplying organic

Carbon estimates by a Carbon Fraction default value of 0.47 tCt−1

Basic wood density will be determined as the anhydrous mass of a wood sample per unit

volume, and averaged across all three cores per sample to determine specific wood density as

follows:

𝜌 = 𝑚 /𝑣 (Zhang et al., 2012).

where 𝜌 = basic wood density (g.cm−3); m and v, sample anhydrous mass (g) and volume (cm3)

respectively.

Aboveground biomass (AGB) will be determined for each tree as follows:

𝐴𝐺𝐵 = 0.0673 × (𝜌𝐷2𝐻)0.976 ( Chave et al., 2014).

AGB = Aboveground biomass (in kg), 𝜌 = basic wood density (g/cm3), D=DBH (cm) and H =

tree height (m).

Below Ground Biomass (BGB) will be estimated as a proportion of above AGB using the

formula BGB = 0.24 × ABG (Monkany et al., 2006).

The amount of Carbon in each woody species will be estimated as 50% of the sum of AGB and

BGB.

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In order to assess the potential of study site for climate change mitigation, the total Carbon

storage in the pools studied will be converted to CO 2 equivalent by multiplying by the atomic

weight difference between C and CO2 (44/12) (Justine et al., 2015)

Thus, total carbon sequestration = soil carbon + understory carbon + standing litter carbon

+ wood carbon (above ground biomass + below ground biomass) (Komolafe et al., 2020).

3.4 Data analysis

After data collection and calculation, the data will be by organized and recorded in excel data

sheet and then analyzed using Statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 29.

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