Carbon stock dynamics driven by land management and land-use change in the Guder-Huluka Rivers’ catchment in Ethiopia

Carbon stock is predominantly affected by land-use/land-cover changes (LULCC) and land management practices. This study analyzes the spatial and temporal dynamics of carbon stock in the Guder-Huluka Rivers catchment from the year 1994–2024. Satellite image, soil laboratory data, and biomass carbon density data were collected and analyzed using ArcGIS and InVEST model. The above ground, below ground, and soil carbons value of each land classes were estimated by integrating data from the satellite image and fieldwork. The result revealed that from (1994–2024), there was a substantial reduction of carbon stock by 32%, which was reduced from 16.9 million of tons in 1994 to 11.5 million tons in 2024. The main factors for carbon stocks reductions were agriculture expansion, overexploitation of forests for wood and charcoal production, expansion of settlement and population growth. In spite of its importance for carbon storage and sequestration, LULCC aggravated the carbon loss and contributed to the climate change. This is highlighting the importance of adopting sustainable land management practices for sustaining or improving carbon stocks, reducing the effects of climate change, and improving the overall ecosystem function and services.