Dynamics of soil organic carbon stock under different types of savannah agrosystems in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantify the current soil organic carbon stock under different types of savannah agrosystems in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon in the context of greenhouse gas emissions and land degradation. It is so crucial for combating climate change and improving ecological restoration. Random field sampling was carried out on 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm depth, then were collected in four types of savannah agrosystems. Soil bulk density, pH, moisture content, CEC, exchangeable bases, particle size distribution and soil organic carbon were determined using standard laboratory procedures and calculations. The results of the study did not reveal a significant difference in soil organic carbon stock between different types of savannah agrosystems (P>0.05). Soils of Tamarindus indica savannah agrosystems in recorded higher values SCOS (36.03 ± 3.31 tC/ha), Prosopis africana (33.40 ± 3.27 tC/ha), Haematostaphis barterii (31.83 ± 3.21 tC/ha) and Detarium microcarpum (31.19 ± 3.19 tC/ha) savannah agrosystems. Similarly, SCOS decreased with soil depth in all types of savannah agrosystems. Results showed a positive and significant (P<0.05) correlation between soil organic carbon stock with basal area, biovolume, bulk density, moisture content, C/N ratio, Ca2+, Mg2+, OM; negative and significant (P<0.05) with Soil pH, Total Nitrogen, Na+ but negative and non-significant (P>0.05) with Density, K+, CEC, Sand %, Silt %, Clay %, Silt + Clay %. The results show the potential contribution of savannah agrosystems to improve soil organic carbon sequestration and environmental protection.

Keywords

• Organic carbon
• soil organic carbon stock
• carbon sequestration
• Savannah agrosystems
• Cameroon
• climate change

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