Assessment of Agroforestry Carbon Sequestration Potential in irrigated Plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Study of District Charsadda, Pakistan

Abstract

The study highlights the significant role of agroforestry in carbon sequestration within six selected villages of District Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Agroforestry, particularly mixed-dense systems, enhances carbon absorption and promotes sustainable land use. Google Earth images were the primary source of data coupled with fieldwork to determine the plantation characteristics. The image analysis reveals that Mera Umerzai, with the highest vegetation cover, and Matta Rustum Khel, the largest contributor by total area, play key roles in carbon capture.

The analysis highlights that Mira Umerzai and Matta Rustum Khel exhibit the highest CO₂ sequestration potential due to their extensive vegetation areas and large tree populations. Mira Umerzai, with the largest vegetation area (357.9 hectares), achieves a CO₂ sequestration peak of 2,899.82 million pounds. Similarly, Matta Rustum Khel, with a high tree count of 1.7 million in Scenario 1, shows its greatest sequestration potential of 4,718.04 million pounds in Scenario 2. Other mouzas, like Sherpao and Chak Sherpao, show consistent CO₂ sequestration ranges, while Kabli has the smallest area and lowest sequestration. Collectively, the villages have sequestered 20,157.7 million pounds of CO₂. Poplar trees, known for their rapid growth and high biomass, are particularly effective, with a 100-hectare plantation capable of absorbing 700-1,500 tons of CO₂ annually. This contributes significantly to climate change mitigation and local economic development. Considering agroforestry's effectiveness in contributing to carbon capture and storage, it is suggested that such initiatives be expanded, particularly in high-potential villages. Scaling up these activities across more locations can increase carbon absorption and help to mitigate climate change.