Carbon Stocks and Sequestration
Perceptions of local communities on mangrove forests, their services and management: implications for Eco-DRR and blue carbon management for Eastern Samar, PhilippinesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Improving Sustainable Tropical Forest Management with Voluntary Carbon MarketsBackgroundTropical forests play a critical role in global carbon sequestration, absorbing approximately 1 petagram (Pg) of carbon annually, more than any other terrestrial ecosystem. However, deforestation and forest degradation are undermining these forests’ potential to mitigate climate change. Reduced-impact logging and sustainable forest management (SFM) have been promoted to limit damage, yet many existing SFM plans fail to account for variations in tree growth rates, species traits, and site-specific conditions. As voluntary carbon markets expand, they offer new opportunities to finance improved forest management and increase carbon sequestration through “carbon-focused sustainable forest management” (SFM + C). Open access copy available |
Could Payments for Forest Carbon Contribute to Improved Tropical Forest Management?BackgroundThe study is motivated by the debate over whether carbon finance can incentivize better logging practices, particularly in areas where conventional, unregulated logging leads to significant environmental degradation. Under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), industrialized countries can finance carbon sequestration projects in developing countries to meet part of their emissions reduction commitments. However, it also raises concerns that such mechanisms could allow developed countries to avoid reducing their fossil fuel emissions. This paper examines whether payments for forest carbon could support improved natural forest management (NFM) in tropical regions. Open access copy available |
Carbon Prospecting in Tropical Forests for Climate Change MitigationBackgroundNature-based climate solutions, such as protecting and restoring forests, have gained prominence in global climate mitigation strategies. However, the supply of high-quality carbon credits derived from forest protection projects is lagging behind the rapidly growing demand. One key challenge is the lack of data to guide investment in forest carbon projects, especially in identifying areas where carbon protection would be both environmentally effective and financially viable. This study assesses the global potential of tropical forest conservation to generate investible carbon credits and quantifying the return-on-investment for forest carbon projects under current and projected carbon market conditions. Open access copy available |
Carbon Costs and Bushmeat Benefits of Hunting in Tropical ForestsBackgroundOverhunting 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+. Open access copy available |
Wild Meat Consumption in Tropical Forests Spares a Significant Carbon Footprint from the Livestock Production SectorBackgroundWild meat consumption is a widespread practice among tropical forest communities, providing essential protein and micronutrients. However, discussions about hunting often focus on its ecological consequences, such as defaunation and biodiversity loss, rather than its potential climate benefits. This study examines the carbon footprint spared by consuming wild meat instead of livestock products, particularly bovine beef, which is a major driver of deforestation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By quantifying the GHG emissions that would result from substituting wild meat with domesticated animal protein, the study explores whether sustainable hunting can contribute to climate change mitigation efforts. Open access copy available |
Not Seeing the Forest for the Trees: The Oversight of Defaunation in REDD+ and Global Forest GovernanceBackgroundReducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global initiative aimed at mitigating climate change by preserving forest carbon stocks. While REDD+ has focused primarily on reducing deforestation, it largely ignores the role of defaunation—the loss of forest wildlife due to unsustainable hunting. Many tropical forests are increasingly experiencing "empty forest syndrome," where large frugivores and seed dispersers are being hunted out, leading to disruptions in seed dispersal and carbon sequestration. This study highlights how REDD+ policies fail to address the ecological role of forest fauna and argues that overlooking defaunation could compromise the long-term effectiveness of forest conservation efforts. Open access copy available |
Synergistic Effects of Seed Disperser and Predator Loss on Recruitment Success and Long-Term Consequences for Carbon Stocks in Tropical RainforestsBackgroundDefaunation—the loss of animal species due to hunting, habitat destruction, and other anthropogenic activities—has far-reaching consequences for tropical forests. Large frugivores play a crucial role in seed dispersal, while seed predators influence recruitment success and plant population dynamics. Previous studies have primarily focused on how defaunation affects seed dispersal, often overlooking the role of seed predators and potential compensatory effects within ecosystems. This study examines how the simultaneous loss of seed dispersers and seed predators affects tree recruitment and long-term carbon storage in tropical forests. Open access copy available |
Prospects for integration of carbon and biodiversity credits: an Australian case study reviewBACKGROUND:Open access copy available |
Promises and potentials do not grow trees and crops. A review of institutional and policy research in agroforestry for the Southern African regionBACKGROUND:Agroforestry has been recognized for its potential to address land management challenges, improve food security, and support rural livelihoods, but its widespread adoption remains limited. Institutional and policy barriers, including weak coordination among sectors and inadequate incentives, hinder its integration into national and local frameworks. Strengthening policies, institutions, and research on the social and economic dimensions of agroforestry is essential for its successful implementation and long-term impact. Open access copy available |
