Quantification of greenhouse gases due to deforestation in Makoni district

Author

Makumbe, Tinotenda N.

Title

Quantification of greenhouse gases due to deforestation in Makoni district

Abstract

This study investigates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from deforestation in Makoni District, Zimbabwe, with the objective of quantifying emissions and identifying the key drivers of forest loss. Deforestation is a significant contributor to climate change, particularly in tropical regions where forest ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon. In Makoni, deforestation is primarily driven by agricultural expansion, tobacco curing, and fuelwood harvesting, which have escalated since the 1980s. Despite national and global efforts to reduce emissions through initiatives such as REDD+, there remains a lack of localized data to inform effective climate action and land-use policies in the district. The study seeks to bridge this gap by examining the volume of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions linked to forest clearance from 2020 to 2024. Using a mixed-methods approach, satellite remote sensing was combined with ground-based biomass measurements and literature review to estimate emissions, while key informant interviews provided qualitative insights into deforestation drivers. The results indicate that over 1,200 hectares of indigenous miombo woodlands were lost during the study period, releasing approximately 450,000 tons of CO₂ equivalents. Tobacco curing emerged as the dominant emission source, accounting for over 60% of wood-related biomass loss. The findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable tobacco curing technologies, community-based forest management, and investment in alternative energy sources to curb emissions. In conclusion, localized GHG quantification is critical for developing context-specific mitigation strategies, and this study provides empirical evidence to support Zimbabwe’s climate commitments and promote sustainable land-use practices in Makoni District.

Date

May 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Green House Gas (GHG)

Deforestation

Supervisor

Mr. A. Kundhlande