Systems and livelihoods meta-analysis workshop for the East Showa and Yabello action sites On going research activities and status Under BMZ funded carbon project “Livelihood diversifying potential of livestock based carbon sequestration options in pastoral and agro pastoral systems that in Africa” Kenea Feyisa (PhD student) Hawassa University

Description of Borana rangelands Located in Ethiopian lowland and 95,000 km² ( Coppock,1994) Pastoral and agro-pastoral system specialized in extensive livestock keeping Exploitation of rangeland resources based on seasonal (Oba and Kotile, 2001) Livestock production is the main livelihood of the people

Recently, pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are facing increased socio-economic stress Woody-species encroachment. Dependency on livestock production as major source of income is no longer su ffi cient to ensure food security, making diversification of livelihoods and resilience building imperative. Payment for environmental services (PES) based on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration has been proposed as additional livelihood option and improved management is expected to significantly increase the carbon sink in rangelands. Livelihood challenges and opportunities

Little experience exists on how livestock production can be combined with income of such PES systems. The recently funded BMZ (ILRI) carbon project, envisaged in assessing the livelihood diversifying potential of livestock based carbon sequestration options in pastoral and agro pastoral systems that in Africa. Thus, the project supports a PhD study at Hawassa University to investigate the impact of traditional and alternative land uses on the carbon sequestering potential and assess their potential for livelihood diversification focusing on different management practices. Livelihood opportunities…

Research questions How much carbon stock can be sequestered in soils and vegetation? What is the impact of different grazing systems on carbon sequestered? How does banning of fire affect the prevalence of woody biomass and the amount of carbon sequestration in woody plants? Is there a difference in soil and aboveground carbon sequestration from different land use?

Research activities and status S/NActivtiesRemarksStatus 1 Participatory Inventory and mapping of enclosures Communities’ Enclosures within Dida- Hara ( ILRI has led the field work) 100% 2 Laboratory analysis for soil samples (different parameters) As per the proposed individual research activties100% 3potential papers 3.1 Effects of enclosure on carbon sequestration in Borana rangelands of southern Ethiopia Data entry and analyzed and manuscript development and review by co-authors on progress 70% 3.2 Predicting Above -ground biomass of key woody species in savanna woodlands of Borana, Ethiopia (Allometric equation) Manuscript development and review by co-authors completed and ready for submission 100% 3.3 Effect of long-term ban of fire on carbon dynamics in Borana, southern, Ethiopia Data entry in progress and acquisition of sets of Satellite images and aerial photographs on woody vegetation change due to fire ban (For period 1970s’ to 1986 and 2000, 2006 and 2013/14 ILRI supports provision and processing of the images 30% 3.4 Effect of land use/land-cover changes on Carbon dynamics and in Borana, Southern Ethiopia Data entry and analysis started Acquisition of sets of Satellite images and aerial photographs on woody vegetation change due to fire ban (for period 1967, 1987, and 2000 and, 2006 and 2013/14 ILRI supports provision and processing of the images 50% 3.5The role of pastoralists’ Indigenous Knowledge of Soil Characterization and Management Practices in Borana, Ethiopia MSc t thesis completed and manuscript writing is underway 100%

Allometric equations for predicting above-ground biomass of selected woody species to estimate carbon in East African rangelands Objectives To develop species-specific allometric models to predict the above- ground biomass for ten key woody species common to the savannas of southern Ethiopia; To contribute to the prediction of the above-ground biomass of a specific woody species or mixed species, and thereby estimate carbon sequestered in the savanna rangelands of East Africa.

AGB prediction equations for selected woody species with best fit model Woody Species Biomass Components Allometric equation Adj.R 2 F-valueP-value Acacia busseiTotalLn(Wt)= ln(DBH) ln(CV) <.0001 StemLn(Ws)= ln(DBH) ln(CV) <.0001 BranchLn(Wb)= ln(DBH) ln(CA) <.0001 Acacia drepanolobiumTotalLn(Wt)= ln(DBH) ln(CV) <.0001 StemLn(Ws)= ln(DBH) ln(CV) <.0001 BranchLn(Wb)= ln(DBH) ln(CA) <.0001 Acacia etbaicaTotalLn(Wt)= ln(DBH) ln(CV) <.0001 StemLn(Ws)= ln(DBH) < BranchLn(Wb)= ln(DBH) ln(CV) <.0001 Acacia niloticaTotalLn(Wt)= ln(DSH) ln(TH) <.0001 Stem Ln(Ws)= ln(DSH) ln(TH) ln(CV) <.0001 BranchLn(Wb)= ln(DSH) ln(CV) <.0001

Best fit model … Woody Species Biomass Components Allometric equationAdj.R 2 F- value P-value Acacia tortilisTotalLn(Wt)= ln(DBH) ln(TH) <.0001 StemLn(Ws)= ln(DBH) ln(TH) <.0001 BranchLn(Wb)= ln(DBH) ln(TH) <.0001 Acacia seyalTotalLn(Wt)= ln(DSH) ln(CV) <.0001 StemLn(Ws)= ln(DSH) ln(TH) <.0001 BranchLn(Wb)= ln(DSH) ln(CA) <.0001 Lannea rivaeTotalLn(Wt)= ln(DSH) ln(CV) <.0001 Stem Ln(Ws)= ln(DSH) ln(TH) ln(CV) < BranchLn(Wb)= ln(DSH)+0.601ln(TH)+0602ln(CV) P<0.001

Objectives Investigate the effects of grazing management (Enclosure vs. open grazed) on carbon stocks and soil nutrients Understand how the enclosures’ age and soil depth influence the changes of SOC tocks and soil properties Predict SOC and STN stocks using easily measurable soil and vegetation related factors. Effects of enclosures on carbon sequestration in Borana rangelands of southern Ethiopia

Preliminary results Age group Grazing regime Depth (cm) SOC (%) SOC stock (t/ha TSN (%) TSN stock(t/ha)Avail P(mg/kg) CEC (meq/100 g <20 yrsEnclosures                   1.25 Total 0-30 cm   0.42 Open grazed                   0.81 Total 0-30 cm   yrsEnclosures                   0.68 Total 0-30 cm   0.46 Open grazed                   1.55 Total 0-30 cm   0.39 >30 yrsEnclosures                   0.81 Total 0-30 cm   0.74 Open grazed                   1.32 Total 0-30 cm58.57   0.41

Fig.1. SOC content (%) and SOC stock (t/ha) as influenced by grazing management. Means followed by the same letters within the same soil depth are not statistically different. Bars show the standard error over repetitions

Fig.2. SOC content (%) and SOC stock (t/ha) as influenced by age of enclosures since establishment. Means followed by the same letters within the same soil depth are not statistically different. Bars show the standard error over repetitions.

Conclusion Improved management practices is important to significantly increase the carbon sink in rangelands Thus, empirical evidences through measurements of Carbon stocks potentials in Soil and above-ground biomass is imperative

Thank you!