CONTRIBUTION OF TREE SPECIES TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION AT THE PELEFORO GON COULIBALY UNIVERSITY SITE IN KORHOGO (NORTHERN CÔTE D’IVOIRE)

This study forms part of an assessment of the carbon sequestration capacity of tree species in the courtyard of Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University in Korhogo. The aim was to assess the diversity of tree species and the amount of carbon sequestered by the trees in the university courtyard, with a view to demonstrating the importance of these plants and encouraging their conservation. Data collection was carried out using a floristic inventory based on transect surveys. The various surveys identified a total of 1,540 trees comprising 59 species, 51 genera and 24 families, with a density of 37 stems per hectare and an estimated species richness of 2 species per hectare. The amount of carbon sequestered was estimated at 132.63 tonnes, representing an average yield of 3.14 t C/ha. This shows that the tree species on the UPGC campus play an important role in conserving biodiversity and combating climate change. These findings now give us an idea of the total amount of carbon sequestered in the UPGC courtyard. To maintain and increase this amount, the tree species on the university campus will need to be protected and further reforestation undertaken in certain areas of the UPGC courtyard.