Floristic composition, species diversity and carbon storage in charcoal and agriculture fallows and management implications in Miombo woodlands of Zambia

摘要: Abstract Globally, there are increasing demands for land use changes aimed at restoring Carbon (C) and biodiversity in degraded forest ecosystems. This study provides an integrated understanding of aboveground (AG) C storage, structural floristic composition charcoal agriculture fallows Miombo woodland systems Zambia. We present the findings ecological surveys; measuring tree diameters assessing species on twenty-four 0.25 ha plots undisturbed woodlands, 58 re-growing after (5–58 years) production (5–44 years). Undisturbed stored 39.6 Mg C ha −1  AG, while clearance, stocks accumulated 0.98 1.42 Mg C ha  year respectively. There were no significant differences between woodlands ⩾20 year old fallows, implying that terms AG sufficiently recover 20 years. Stem densities significantly higher than but difference decreased with fallow age. Importance values (IVI) show low presence less fire resistant such as Uapaca kirkiana initial regrowth post-agriculture fallows. Shannon diversity indices showed high both though Jaccard similarity coefficient indicated similarities, suggesting relatively fast takes longer to recuperate. The hold enormous management potential emerging C-based payments ecosystem services through United Nations Reduction Emissions from Deforestation Degradation-plus (REDD+) programme Voluntary Market projects. Forest should consider managing sequestration restoration natural succession systems. In view uncertainty recovery, mature be conserved continued functioning supply services.