An Appraisal of Forest Degradation and Carbon Sequestration of Effan Forest Reserve in Kwara State

摘要: This study describes an effort to estimate amount of forest degradation and carbon sequestration for Effan Forest Reserve using remote sensing/GIS techniques. The adopted 14 sampled plots-simple randomly based method, Remote Sensing –Land Use/Land Cover method change detection, Vegetation Difference Normalized Index (NDVI) determine vegetation reflectance, field data use allometric model equation biomass sink estimation. Results revealed that there was decrease in the Gmelina arborea plantation which so many trees were harvested thereby converting part reserve Sapling/Shrubs (i.e. re-generating part). Despite fast regenerating capacity arborea, is increase number size evidence between 2001 2006. reflectance also high 2001and low 2006 confirms degradation. total aboveground estimated shows Standard class triples Sapling class. expressed following order magnitude: > Pole >Sapling sized trees. – have better CO2 potential than sized. However, both had future due presence large belonging small DBH classes. Moreover, stand has a 40,294.8metric tons CO2.