Assessing Carbon Sequestration Potential and Socio-economic Benefits of Ficus thonningii in the Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

This research investigates the ecological and economic importance of Ficus thonningii (F. thonningii), a key factor within agroforestry systems in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia. Despite its widespread cultivation, there is little understanding of the species’ carbon sequestration potential and its economic benefit to local communities. The research was conducted at two locations in the Ahferom district, Mesheg, and Sefo, to quantify the carbon stock and soil organic content of F. thonningii across different age categories and evaluate its economic value to local households. The tree was categorized into three different age categories for the analysis: old (>30 years), medium-aged (5–30 years), and young (<5 years). Soil samples were collected from varying radial distances and depths, and 185 households of F. thonningii growers were interviewed to assess the tree’s economic importance. An analysis of biomass carbon across various age groups was conducted using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while the soil organic carbon was examined using a two-way ANOVA. The estimated biomass carbon stock for young, medium-aged, and old trees was 41.6 kg tree−1, 183.7 kg tree−1 and 501.2 kg tree−1, respectively. The findings revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in biomass carbon storage among the different age groups of the species, with the old category recording the uppermost carbon stock. The estimated soil organic carbon stock for young, medium and old-aged trees was 57.65 Mg ha−1, 68.38 Mg ha−1 and 71.40 Mg ha−1, respectively. The socioeconomic data shows that households generate an annual income of 2034 ETB from the F. thonningii plantation. The research concludes that F. thonningii has significant carbon sequestration potential, particularly at older ages, and offers substantial economic advantages to local households. It is recommended that this multipurpose tree species be incorporated into restoration programs within the region and other areas with similar agro-climatic conditions in Ethiopia.