Costs and Revenues
Forests, food, and fuel in the tropics: the uneven social and ecological consequences of the emerging political economy of biofuelsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
Improving Sustainable Tropical Forest Management with Voluntary Carbon MarketsBackgroundTropical forests play a vital role in global carbon sequestration, absorbing around 1 petagram (Pg) of carbon annually—more than any other terrestrial ecosystem. However, deforestation and forest degradation weaken their ability to mitigate climate change. While reduced-impact logging and sustainable forest management (SFM) aim to minimize damage, many SFM plans overlook differences in tree growth rates, species characteristics, and local site conditions. As voluntary carbon markets grow, they create new opportunities to fund improved forest practices through “carbon-focused sustainable forest management” (SFM + C), which integrates carbon sequestration goals into existing frameworks. Open access copy available |
Could Payments for Forest Carbon Contribute to Improved Tropical Forest Management?BackgroundThis study addresses the ongoing debate over whether carbon finance can incentivize better logging practices, especially in areas where unregulated logging causes severe environmental degradation. Under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), industrialized countries finance carbon sequestration projects in developing nations to help meet their emissions reduction targets. However, this approach raises concerns that such mechanisms may let developed countries delay cutting their own fossil fuel emissions. The paper investigates whether forest carbon payments can 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 forest protection and restoration—play an increasingly central role in global climate mitigation strategies. However, the supply of high-quality carbon credits from forest protection projects fails to keep pace with rising demand. A major barrier is the lack of reliable data to guide investment decisions, particularly in pinpointing areas where forest carbon protection delivers both environmental and financial returns. This study evaluates the global potential of tropical forest conservation to generate investible carbon credits and quantifies the return on investment under current and projected carbon market conditions. Open access copy available |
How much deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa has been caused by mining?BACKGROUND:Sub-Saharan Africa has become a major mining hub due to its vast mineral resources, which has led to significant economic growth and investment in the region since the early 2000s. However, the expansion of mining activities, especially post-2000, has raised concerns about their environmental impact, particularly in terms of deforestation and habitat disruption. The paper aims to assess the extent of deforestation caused by mining activities in Sub-Saharan Africa, employing geospatial and statistical analysis to compare areas with and without mining operations. Open access copy available |
Erythrina (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae): A Versatile Genus for Agroforestry Systems in the Tropics.BackgroundThe genus Erythrina (Leguminosae) plays a crucial role in tropical agroforestry systems. These trees are adaptable and widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with over 100 species globally. Erythrina species are known for their rapid growth, nitrogen-fixing capability, and adaptability to various environments, including low-fertility soils. Historically, they have been integrated into agricultural systems as shade trees, live fences, and forage sources. The diverse ecological benefits of Erythrina highlight its importance in addressing food security, environmental conservation, and rural livelihoods in tropical regions. Open access copy available |
Cómo financiar la restauración de los bosques tropicalesBackgroundLa restauración de bosques tropicales enfrenta desafíos económicos y sociales derivados de la presión sobre las tierras disponibles y la competencia con otras actividades como la agricultura y la ganadería. Sin embargo, la restauración ecológica se considera una oportunidad para recuperar ecosistemas degradados y generar beneficios económicos para los propietarios de tierras. El artículo analiza cómo financiar y hacer económicamente viable la restauración del bosque atlántico de Brasil, uno de los ecosistemas más biodiversos y amenazados del mundo. Open access copy available |
The Effectiveness of Payments for Environmental ServicesBackgroundThe academic debate on how effectively Payments for Environmental Services (PES) achieve environmental and socioeconomic goals continues to grow. Researchers initially focused on defining the concept and documenting early field experiences. Over time, they shifted their attention to designing effective incentives, analyzing behavioral responses, conducting systematic reviews, and applying counterfactual-based impact evaluations to assess outcomes more rigorously. Available with subscription or purchase |
Opportunities for Integrating Social Science into Research on Dry Forest Restoration: A Mini-ReviewBackgroundResearchers have well-documented the threats to seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs), including anthropogenic fires, climate change, and soil degradation. The widespread conversion of SDTFs to other land uses creates substantial opportunities for large-scale restoration and reforestation. While most research focuses on abiotic, environmental, and biophysical factors influencing restoration and secondary succession, researchers have largely overlooked incorporating social sciences or human dimensions into the restoration process, leaving a significant gap in the field. Open access copy available |
Committed to restoring tropical forests: an overview of Brazil's and Indonesia's restoration targets and policiesBackgroundOpen access copy available |
