CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND STORAGE IN BIOMASS AND SOIL OF Gardenia aqualla STANDS IN CAMEROON

This study evaluates the carbon sequestration and storage in biomass and soil of Gardenia aqualla stands in Cameroon, emphasising the importance of ecosystems in mitigating climate change effects. Data on vegetation, dead wood, herbs, litter, soils, and fine roots were collected from 50 m × 50 m quadrats using systematic sampling methods. The aboveground, belowground, litter, dead wood, and soil organic carbon contents were higher in G. aqualla stands in Bénoué (50.28 ± 1.60, 11.05 ± 0.09, 1.98 ± 0.01, 8.98 ± 0.11, and 47.50 ± 0.19 Mg C ha-1, respectively). In Mayo-Loutii, the carbon storage capacity of herbaceous and fine roots of G. aqualla stands was 2.94 ± 0.06 and 8.01 ± 0.05 Mg C ha-1, respectively. In Bénoué, the total carbon stock and CO2 equivalents of G. aqualla stands was 127.28 ± 10.72 Mg C ha-1 and 467.11 ± 39.34 Mg CO2eq ha-1, respectively. The findings support the significant role of G. aqualla stands to store carbon and to mitigate climate change in Cameroon.