THE CONTRIBUTION OF MANGO AGROECOSYSTEMS TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

The amount of carbon sequestered by trees and soils is a tool for determining the sustainability and environmental impact of carbon on ecosystems. This study was conducted to determine the amount of carbon sequestered by a mango (Mangifera indica L.) plantation as well as soil productivity in terms of soil nutrients and other physical properties under mango plantations in Gbullung in the Tolon District of Northern Region. Systematic sampling was used to collect data on tree height and diameter from six (6) sample plots, each of size 50 m x 50 m constituting 15000 m2 out of the total plantation area of 21432 m2. Soil samples were collected diagonally at four (4) spots across the plantation. Four (4) control samples were collected on adjacent land use which was 15 m away from the plantation as a control. Soil samples were collected from soil depth of 0-30 cm at 5 m intervals in the mango plantation and in the control and analyzed for pH, percentage Organic Carbon (O.C), percentage Nitrogen (N), available Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). The study revealed a mean height and diameter of 3.6 m and 5.7 cm respectively for the studied plantation. The estimated above ground carbon stock density was 3.591 t ha-1 while the soil organic carbon was 29.484t ha-1. The study revealed mean pH values of 5.6 and 5.2 for soils under the plantation and soils under the control plots respectively. These means did not differ significantly from each other. The mean level of nitrogen in the soil under the plantation was comparable to the levels of nitrogen (0.05) in the control plots. However, the mean levels of phosphorous, potassium and organic carbon recorded in the control plots were 5.3 mg/kg, 195 mg/kg and 0.66% respectively. These values were not significantly higher than those under the mango plantation. The study concluded that mango agroecosystems sequester substantial amounts of carbon in addition to providing economic gains, although they make little contributions to improving soil nutrients.