Miombo Woodlands A recent publication Williams et al. (2008) Carbon Sequestration and biodiversity of re-growing miombo woodlands in Mozambique. Forest Ecology and Management. provides a thorough inventory assessment of the project area.

Mature miombo woodland

Biodiversity

Miombo is a species-rich tropical savanna ecosystem dominated by trees in the genera Brachystegia and Julbernardia. Despite the low rainfall and relatively nutrient-poor soil the woodland is home to many species of birds including a number of endemic miombo specialists. It also provides food and cover for mammals such as the sable antelope and Lichtenstine's hartebeest. This woodland supports the livelihoods of many Mozambicans as the wide variety of species provide many non-timber products such as fruits, honey, fodder for livestock and fuelwood.

Gorongosa has the highest biodiversity in Mozambique because of its unique physical structure, relief and different vegetation types. It has an avifauna of 500 or more species, 25 wild ungulate species, including 7 miniature antelope, 6 primates and 3 galagos.

Deforestation analysis using GIS

Cartographic approaches using a combination of Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS have allowed an accurate land-use map to be produced of the project area. The land-use change has been quantified which shows the carbon savings in the project when compared with regional baseline estimates. Extensive deforestation has mainly occurred near to roads as a result of non-sustainable forms of agriculture and charcoal production.

Remote sensing images are being used to analyse changes in the carbon stored in the project areas. The potential carbon losses from deforestation are discussed in Grace (2004).

Image showing output from LANDSAT data showing land use in the project and surrounding area

Cleared old growth mashamba

The RS data can supplement carbon storage figures from the PSP's and can help to assess future land uses. In order to increase accuracy of satellite data analysis, field sampling is carried out to verify the results.

Due to problems with Landsat image quality, SPOT imagery is being used for current analysis.

Canopy analysis

Field sampling in the PSP's includes calculating Leaf Area Index using fisheye cameras. The photos are then analysed to give the LAI.The LAI is the leaf area per ground area and a high leaf area means a larger area of leaf for photosysthesis and therefore usually more carbon storage. This is likely to occur from the end of December to May in Mozambique. Local technicians are highly involved in this area of research.

Photos of the canopy are taken using a fisheye camera

Photos are taken at regular intervals throughout the year in each PSP. The change in the leaf area can be seen during the dry and wet seasons, and the different sites are compared.

Plot 1. 20th December 2005 - A higher LAI

Plot 2. 6th November 2006 - a lower LAI

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