Microclimate effect of agroforestry plantations on atmospheric temperature in Abia and Ebonyi States, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

A two-year field study was conducted to determine the microclimate effect of agroforestry plantations on atmospheric temperature at  Okwuta, Umuahia, Abia State and Ishiagu, Ebonyi State; Southeast Nigeria. Temperature variations in the different agroforestry  ecosystems and control stations were collected using thermometers. Paired sample statistics were employed in comparing temperature variations between ecosystems using a statistical tool, GenStat version 7.22 DE. Temperature variations within and between the  experimental sites indicated that the maximum and minimum temperature (⁰C) from the control were higher than the agroforestry  plantations within the year (2020/2021) under study with an annual mean temperature variation of 4.670C for maximum and 4.090C for  minimum (2020); and 4.04 ⁰C for maximum and 3.80⁰C for minimum (2021) between the control and agroforestry plantation plots at  FRIN Agroforestry site. Equally, the annual mean temperature variation of 4.06 0C for maximum and 4.67⁰C for minimum (2020); and  4.00⁰C for maximum and 4.22⁰C for minimum (2021) temperatures between the control and agroforestry plantation plots at FCA, Ishiagu.  These figures showed that agroforestry plantations ameliorated temperatures significantly within the range specified in the  study. This finding highlighted the potentiality of agroforestry plantations to ameliorate the high atmospheric temperatures of the surrounding environment. From the findings of this study, the following are recommended: agroforestry plantation establishment be  encouraged to ensure the modification of environmental temperature. Agroforestry plantation establishments will equally serve as a  carbon sink, thus mitigating the effect of global warming and the attendant climate change.