Aerial Phytomass and Carbon Sequestrated by the Kitshanga Forest Massif in the Wamba Valley in Dr-Congo

Aerial phytomass and carbon sequestrated by the Kitshanga forest massif in the Wamba valley in DR-Congo. The general objective was to evaluate the aerial phytomass and the carbon contained in the ligneous tissues of the trees. Specifically, the research aims to: (i) inventory all individuals in the Kitshanga gallery forest; (ii) identify the species in the study area; (iii) determine the floristic composition and density of the stand studied and (iv) evaluate the phytomass and the carbon sequestered by this vegetation. Inventory devices full on 1 hectare subdivided by 400 m² to obtain 25 plots which constitute the size of the sample. Individuals with a diameter ≥ 10 cm at 1.3 m were subject to allometric measurements. Lianas and herbs have not been considered. The main results reveal 59 species, belonging to 23 families of which the Fabaceae/Caesalpinioideae predominate. The density totals 299 trees; an aboveground biomass of 242.66 t/ha; 121.33 t/ ha of carbon corresponding to 444.92 t/ ha CO2 equivalent. Of this value, Antrocaryon nannanii totals 60.26 t/ha of dry matter; 30.13 t/ ha of carbon and 110.50 t/ ha of CO2 equivalent. The results obtained open the way to the evaluation of the contribution of this gallery forest in a humid tropical climate for the production of biomass and carbon sequestration. Further studies are necessary in order to have a database from which periodic evaluations of biomass production can be made.