Abstract:
The main objective of the study was to estimate carbon sequestration potential and
assessing the forest cover change from 1990 – 2020 of Alatish national park. The study
used 150 GCP data and from 10 sampling forest plots and Landsat 8 OLI data. The study
used Landsat 5, Landsat 7ETM+ and Landsat 8 OLI image to evaluate forest cover
change from 1990 to 2020. The study uses both unsupervised and supervised
classification for clustering and for generating forest cover change from 1990 – 2020. In
addition, the study used Landsat 8 OLI imagery and Soil data in order to estimate the
above ground biomass and below ground biomass respectively. In connection to the
above the study developed a model of quantifying above ground biomass using stepwise
regression techniques. The result of the study revealed that based on the designed
regression estimation model the study found out that Landsat 8 OLI image band
composite of band 457 was the best composite to estimate above ground biomass for
forest resources. The findings of the study revealed that there was forest cover change in
Alatish national park in the past 10 years. In addition, the study also concluded that land
cover that was primarily covered by shrub and herbaceous exhibited stationary nature.
Most of the land covers transformed in to forest cover were from shrub land covers. The
study also found out that the carbon sequestration potential of Alatish national park
varies between 12 t/ha to 101 t/ha. In connection 42.46 percent of Alatish national park
coverage has lower level of carbon sequestration potential ranging from 30 – 40 as
compared to the average (44.6 t/ha) amount of carbon stock in the study area. Moreover,
based on the findings the study concluded that Alatish National park carbon
sequestration potential is 3,832,949,748.41tone with minimum and maximum amount of
carbon sequestration potential of 12.22 and 101.05 tons per hectare. In addition to the
above the study also found out that 9318 ha (45.11%) of land had an average
sequestration potential ranging from 40.752 – 47.976 tons per hectare. The study
recommends that Alatish national park should be maintained and protected as the forest
cover transforming into other land uses, choosing the tree species which hold higher
capability of carbon fixation, and renewing matured trees reasonably will be conducive
to raise the capability of carbon sink and stock of forest ecosystem. Moreover, the study
also recommends to local government needs concern on the forestland soil maintenance
and soil organic carbon stabilization.
