Comparison of the climate change mitigation potential between cashew agro-ecosystems and other land-uses in the dry semi-deciduous zone of Ghana
摘要
In Ghana, cashew cultivation is rapidly expanding as a major land-use type. However, its contribution to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration remains poorly quantified. Specifically, there is limited empirical data comparing the biomass carbon sequestration potential of cashew agro-ecosystems to other dominant land-uses such as cocoa plantations, shaded food-croplands, and natural forests within the same ecological zone. This study addresses that gap by assessing biomass carbon stocks (aboveground and belowground) of cashew trees of varying ages in comparison to cocoa trees, shade trees on food-croplands, and natural forests in Ghana’s dry semi-deciduous zone. The focus was exclusively on vegetation biomass carbon, excluding other carbon pools. Cashew and cocoa agro-ecosystems were grouped by age: below ten years and ten years and older. For each land-use system, 14 temporary sample plots (0.1 ha each) were established, with natural forest plots sampled in a nearby but ecologically comparable area, resulting in 84 total plots. The study revealed age-related differences in carbon sequestration among cashew trees, with carbon stocks ranging from 16.60 to 71.34 Mgha−1. The study also found significant differences in carbon sequestration among cashew trees aged 10 years and older and both age groups of cocoa trees, with a weak significant difference between cashew trees aged 10 years and older and natural forest. However, no significant difference was observed between cashew trees aged 10 years and older, and food-croplands. These findings highlight the potential of cashew agro-ecosystems in climate change mitigation, providing valuable insights for land-use planning and climate policy formulation.