Impact of Forest Fragmentation on Aboveground Biomass Carbon Stock in selected Arid-Savanna Forest Landscape in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70882/josrar.2026.v3i3.209Keywords:
Forest fragmentation, Aboveground biomass, Carbon stock, Baturia Forest Reserve, Land-coverAbstract
Forest structure in the arid regions of Nigeria is experiencing intense degradation due to its fragmentation. Forest Fragmentation (FF) associated with loss of Forested Land Cover (FLC) and aboveground biomass carbon stock (AGBC). Understanding the impact of fragmentations on FLC and AGBC in Jigawa State is necessary for conservation efforts. Hence this study was conducted. Baturia Forest Reserve (BFR) was purposively selected based on satellite imagery and accessibility. It was stratified into: Interior (I), Edge (E), and Matrix (M). A sample plot (20 x 20 m) with three replicates were randomly established in each stratum for the estimation of AGBC (kg ha-1) using established allometric equations. Ground biomass was collected from 1 m2 subplots laid at each opposite corners and the middle of the sample plots. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and correlation at α0.05. The forest cover area in BFR is fragmented from 45,210 (ha) in year 2000 to 28,340 (ha) in year 2024. Agriculture and built-up areas increased from 62,500 to 78920, and 4,200 to 8900 ha respectively. The number of medium forest patches (>10 ha) increased from 48 to 72 between the years. The AGBCS varied significantly from 28.6±1.84 Mg C ha-1 (I), 17.4±1.42 Mg C ha-1 (E) and 4.8±0.65 Mg C ha-1 (M). Significant relationship was obtained between forest patches and AGBCS (r = 0.71) showing high influence of FF on AGBCS. Forest interior is the less fragmented forest land-cover and most supports AGBCS in BFR, Jigawa State.
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