Tree dieback affects climate change mitigation potential of a dry afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia

摘要: Abstract Extreme climatic events such as droughts are likely to result in huge and long-lasting effects on regional ecosystem health if large numbers of foundation tree species continue die. Although deforestation is severe the Ethiopian highlands, some remnants dry afromontane forests still exist. However, resilience these under climate change scenarios unknown. Therefore, we studied (1) extent spatial patterns standing dead stems along an elevational gradient (2) dieback forest carbon sequestration potential aboveground stocks, Juniperus procera Olea europaea dominated northern Ethiopia, using allometric models combined with ring analysis. constitute 67% total population. Tree affected a quarter This loss critical because 92.2% snags belong J. O. europaea, which study forest. The estimated mean C-stock was 19.3 (±3.9) Mg C ha−1. Of this estimate, contributed 34.5% C-stock. annual C-sequestration 0.33 (±0.03) ha−1 year−1, 27% less when compared pre-tree potential. We found decreasing trend increasing elevation, implies that C-stocks mitigation potentials forest, highly at lower elevations which drier part landscape. analysis showed trees reach medium-sized stem diameter (i.e., 20–25 cm) after no than 100 years, indicating effect function long-lasting. Our results provide information magnitude its impact fluxes services. Evidently, substantiate importance protecting maintain quality environment reduce efforts cost for restoration major loss. Finally, gained by provides baseline comparison future estimates.