Carbon Sequestration Potential of Plantation Forests in Essera District, Dawro Zone, South Western Region of Ethiopia

The growing threat of climate change has heightened the importance of carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in plantation forests. This study assessed the carbon sequestration potential of two dominant plantation species Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Cupressus lusitanica in Essera District, South Western Ethiopia. Standard forest inventory techniques were used to estimate aboveground biomass and soil organic carbon. Results indicated that both species contribute substantially to ecosystem carbon storage, with C. lusitanica showing slightly higher potential. These findings highlight the role of plantation forestry in climate change mitigation and provide insights for regional carbon accounting and sustainable land‐use planning.