A study was conducted to estimate the forest cover change, quantify and map tree above-ground carbon stock using Remote
sensing and GIS techniques together with forest inventory. Landsat images of 1980, 1995 and 2010 acquired during
dry season were used in the estimation of cover changes. Supervised image classification using Maximum Likelihood
Classifier was performed in ERDAS Imagine software to analyze the images and further analysis was performed
in Arc GIS 9.3 software. Stratified sampling procedure was used to select concentric inventory plots in Pugu Forest Reserve
(PFR) and Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve (KFR). Plots were laid according to NAFORMA, and the tree parameters
in each sampling plot were collected. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to compute the above-ground biomass
for each plot using an empirical equation relating wood basic density and tree height. The above-ground carbon
was calculated using a conversion factor of 0.49. Geostatistical method in ArcGIS was used to analyze and map carbon.
Results revealed that for the periods 1980-1995 and 1995-2010, Closed Forest in PFR decreased by 4.5% and 25.3%
respectively, while for KFR, Closed Forest decreased by 11.9% and 31.3% respectively. The mean carbon density for
PFR and KFR were respectively 5.72 tC/ha and 0.98 tC/ha while carbon stocks were 14 730.41 tC and 7 206.46 tC respectively.
The revealed low carbon densities were attributable to decline in area under Closed Forest in the two Forest
Reserves. The study recommends concerted efforts to enhance proper management of the forests so that the two forest
reserves may contribute to REDD initiatives.