Simulation of the impacts of three management regimes on carbon sinks in rubber and oil palm plantation ecosystems of South-Western Cameroon.

The impacts of managed, extended and complete rotation on carbon sequestration in rubber and oil palm plantations were simulated using the CO2FIX V.2 model, using degraded farmland carbon stocks as a baseline. Results showed that the extended rotation resulted in higher C-sequestration in rubber (264 Mg C/ha), and the complete rotation (88 Mg C/ha) for the oil palm plantation. There was better soil carbon recovery in rubber under the extended rotation, and better recovery in palms under a complete rotation. With respect to soil carbon fractions, fine litter had the highest value in rubber (19 Mg C/ha) and coarse litter in palms (63 Mg C/ha) all under complete rotation. Humus was the most permanently increasing soil carbon component, with the best sinks at 9 and 12 Mg C/ha in rubber and palm under the extended rotation respectively. Inclusion of such systems into post Kyoto Treaties, with incentives from carbon credits could be indispensable in alleviating rural poverty and expanding on forestry projects that mitigate climate change. Key words: