Carbon Costs and Bushmeat Benefits of Hunting in Tropical Forests

Background

Overhunting is a widespread issue in tropical forests, leading to the depletion of frugivorous animals that play a crucial role in seed dispersal. The loss of these animals can shift tree species composition, ultimately reducing forest carbon storage. While hunting provides an essential source of protein and income for local communities, its long-term effects on carbon stocks remain underexplored. This study evaluates the trade-offs between the economic benefits of bushmeat hunting and the potential carbon costs due to defaunation-induced biomass loss. Understanding these dynamics is critical for integrating hunting management into climate change mitigation strategies such as REDD+.

Goals and Methods

The study aimed to quantify the economic value of bushmeat hunting in comparison to the revenue loss from carbon stock depletion due to hunting-driven defaunation. Using a bioeconomic model, the author assess the conditions under which hunting might lead to significant carbon loss and compares the economic benefits of hunting to the potential sale of carbon credits. The model incorporated frugivore population dynamics, seed dispersal processes, and forest biomass changes, alongside economic factors such as hunting effort, bushmeat prices, and carbon pricing. 

Conclusion

The findings reveal that defaunation-driven carbon losses could range from 2–12% in Latin America and Africa and up to 38% in some Amazonian forests. However, the total revenue from hunting remained highest when hunting effort was low, suggesting that excessive hunting leads to diminishing economic returns over time. The study also found that the ability of different species to compensate for lost seed dispersers—significantly influences carbon outcomes. In regions where large frugivores are heavily hunted, forests could lose a substantial amount of carbon storage potential. The results suggest that policies aimed at regulating hunting and incorporating carbon finance mechanisms could provide incentives for conservation while supporting local livelihoods.