Institut National pour l’Etude et la Recherche Agronomiques (INERA). Antenne de Gestion et conservation des ressources naturelles (GCRN, LUKI). BP 2037 Kinshasa, RD Congo
The Luki Biosphere Reserve is under significant anthropogenic pressures that compromise its tree diversity and carbon sequestration capacity. In response to these challenges, agroforestry appears as a sustainable alternative, offering socioeconomic and environmental benefits while contributing to the fight against climate change. This study aims to quantify above-ground biomass and carbon sequestration capacity in an agroforestry system within this reserve.
The study involved determining the floristic composition of the agro-forests and estimating the biomass of woody plants. Data were collected through floristic and dendrometric inventories conducted based on a hierarchical sampling method that included 8 plots of 0.25 ha each. Floristic and structural parameters were measured on trees with a diameter equal to or greater than 10 cm. Diversity was assessed using species richness and diversity indices.
Floristic and structural parameters were measured on trees with a diameter greater than or equal to 10 cm. Diversity was assessed using species richness and diversity indices, while biomass was estimated using the allometric equation of Chave et al. (2005), adapted for humid tropical forests. The results reveal a woody flora composed of 42 species belonging to 24 botanical families. An average density of 76 stems/ha and an average basal area of 0.48 m2/ha were recorded. Estimated biomass ranges from 20.875 t for the conventional field to 50.404 t for the agro-forest. Carbon sequestration capacity is estimated at 10.421 t/ha in the conventional field and 25.193 t/ha in the agro-forest, thus confirming the study hypothesis.