Assessment of Adansonia digitata L. Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Blue Nile, North and West Kordofan State, Sudan

Background and Objective: Woodlands cover large areas in South-Eastern and Central Africa. Basins need to increase levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is directly linked to climate change. Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is among the vascular tree species with a long lifetime of over 1000 years; therefore, it has the potential for carbon storage. This research aimed to calculate aboveground biomass and carbon in the Blue Nile, North and West Kordofan States of Sudan. Materials and Methods: Baobab trees were identified, and the diameter of each tree was measured, and the crown width of the tree were measured. An allometric model was developed and used for estimating above-ground biomass of baobab trees in dry areas, with diameter at breast height only as the independent variable. Biomass was calculated as 50% carbon. Results: The mean aboveground biomass of baobabs, 5.96±2.76 ton/tree in Blue Nile, was higher than 3.67±1.67 and 5.06±3.04 ton/tree recorded in West and North Kordofan States, respectively. The whole experiment (three states) carbon density was 2.45±1.04 ton/ha. The aboveground carbon density of 2.98±1.34 in Blue Nile state was higher than 1.83±0.78 ton/ha recorded in West Kordofan State and 2.53±1.74 ton/ha in North Kordofan State. In the whole experiment (three states), carbon density was found 2.45±1.04 ton/ha following post hoc multiple comparisons (p<0.05). Wild stands of Baobab have great potential for carbon storage. Conclusion: It is supposed that some trees are over 1000 years old. Sustainable carbon storage in baobabs could be achieved by planting them in reserve areas rather than in an agroforestry system or in the wild. It will help reduce the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.