Abstract:

Much as Uganda’s forest cover has reduced from approximately 3.6 to
2.9 million hectares between 2005 and 2010 (FAO, 2010), the estimated
47.5 million metric tonnes of carbon stored (FAO, 2010) is equivalent to
871,625 tonnes of CO2 sequestered from the atmosphere. Hence, with
the increasing reforestation and afforestation activities in Uganda,
there is high potential for future carbon sequestration and livelihood
enhancement. Therefore, in a bid to achieve the aforementioned role
of forests in mitigating climate change, National Forestry Resources
Research Institute (NaFORRI) is undertaking research on active forest
management covering species selection, management options, pests
and diseases management, energy conservation and tree improvement
to enhance forest development in Uganda. Among NaFORRI’s research
activities, above ground biomass carbon sequestration potential of 7, 9,
11 year old Pinus caribaea has been estimated at 61.4 t of C ha-1, 107.9
t of C ha-1 and 138.4 t of C ha-1– equivalent to 225.4 t of CO2, 395.9 tof
CO2 and 507.8 t of CO2sequestered per hectare, respectively in Lake
Victoria agro-ecological region.