Carbon Stocks and Sequestration

Environmental Services of Native Tree Plantations and Agroforestry Systems in Central America

Background

Plantations and agroforestry systems supply wood and environmental services such as carbon sequestration and recovery of biodiversity. At the time of writing (2004), Central American countries were developing systems of payments for environmental services to encourage the development of these systems.

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Payments for Environmental Services in Latin America as a Tool for Restoration and Rural Development

Background

Two Payments for Environmental Services (PES) projects are assessed in this article: 1) a bundled PES system in forestry projects in Costa Rica, and 2) the Regional Integrated Silvopastoral Approaches to Ecosystem Management Project in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Colombia. The first project based PED on the provision of four different environmental services (carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, and aesthetic improvements and/or maintenance of the landscape) within the same plot of land. The second project implemented PES proportional to carbon sequestration and biodiversity outputs by participants.

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Biomass Equations for Tropical Tree Plantations Using Secondary Data from the Philippines

background

This study advances models for biomass estimation of tropical forests using equations verified by sampling in Philippines plantations. Evidence-based, site-specific equations for biomass estimation can avoid the need for frequent destructive sampling.

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Potential of Agroforestry and Plantation Systems in Indonesia for Carbon Stocks: an Economic Perspective

background

This article discusses the potential for carbon sequestration services in various agroforestry systems in Indonesia. The systems specifically discussed include shade based coffee (Coffea robusta), fruit based coffee, timber based coffee, rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), pinang (Areca catechu), mango (Mangifera indica), macang (Mangifera spp), candle nut (Aleurites moluccana), durian (Durio zibethinus), duku (Lansium domesticum), and sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria) systems.

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CHOCO2-Maquipucuna Foundation

BACKGROUND

Over the last 31 years, this project has focused its attention on conserving the remaining unprotected forests in Ecuador’s most biodiverse regions through strategic land purchases and by helping local communities find economic alternatives to thrive in harmony with nature. Local people play an integral role in conservation, hence setting up protected areas in isolation is insufficient to protect biodiversity. Therefore, the project works  to develop a complex, multiscale, multifaceted conservation framework that integrates research, education, local community development, sustainable ecotourism and policy making. 

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Ulu Masen REDD+ initiative, Aceh, Indonesia

Background

The area of the Ulu Masen Conservation Area has been degraded due to an illegal logging boom after the tsunami as well as increasing agricultural expansion. The Ulu Masen REDD+ initiative was developed by the Government of Aceh (GoA) to address these issues.

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Value and Risks of Expiring Carbon Credits from Afforestation and Reforestation Projects under the CDM

background

One of the main concerns with afforestation and reforestation being part of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is the issue of liability about the length and quality of the project (the risk of the forest or plantation being harvested or otherwise destroyed). To account for the non-permanent carbon storage of afforestation and reforestation projects, Credits for Emissions Reductions (CERs) can expire.

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Forest Carbon Project in the Quirino Provience, Philippines

Background

Over a 7 year span from 2003 to 2010, Conservation International Phillipines and ICRAF have conducted studies and developed initiatives to address carbon sequestration in the Sierra Madre Biodiversity Corridor region, which is a 1.4 million hectare forested region that is critical for biodiversity, hydrology, and other ecosystem services.  

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Biomass Distribution Among Tropical Tree Species Grown Under Differing Regional Climates

background

This study presents results from species selection trials in Panama as part of the PRORENA project, which examined the most effective species and methods for Panamanian government-supported reforestation projects.

research goal & methods

In 2003, 16 native and 2 exotic species were planted in single-species plots with a 3m x 3m spacing of trees at two different sites (one seasonally wet, one more dry). All plots were thinned to 50% of their original density at two years after plantation establishment, and the thinned trees were measured for biomass and biomass partitioning.

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The Potential for Carbon Sequestration Through Reforestation of Abandoned Tropical Agricultural and Pasture Lands

background

This article reviews the field of carbon accumulation in tropical secondary forests to shed light on the ability of reforestation to encourage carbon sequestration.

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