Payments for Ecoystem Services
Governing the Global Commons: Linking Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical ForestsBackgroundClimate change and biodiversity loss are two of the most pressing global environmental challenges, yet they are often addressed through separate international frameworks. Scientific evidence shows that these issues are interconnected, especially in tropical forests. Despite this overlap, carbon finance mechanisms like the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) have historically excluded efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation (REDD), focusing instead on afforestation and reforestation. This article explores the potential for aligning carbon sequestration goals with biodiversity conservation through incentive-based mechanisms, with particular emphasis on tropical forests. Open 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 |
Forests as Capital: Financial Mechanisms for Tropical Forest ConservationBackgroundDespite global conservation efforts, recent data suggests deforestation has accelerated, with tropical regions accounting for the majority of global forest loss. Financial investment in conservation and sustainable forest management (SFM) is currently insufficient, with estimates indicating that funding may need to increase by up to ten times to effectively address forest degradation. This article explores a diverse array of financial mechanisms—including REDD+, sustainability certification, ecological compensation, community forestry, and official development assistance—that aim to treat forests as economic capital to attract investment for conservation and SFM. 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 |
The Need for Carbon Finance Schemes to Tackle Overexploitation of Tropical Forest WildlifeBackgroundOpen access copy available |
A Comparison of Governance Challenges in Forest Restoration in Paraguay’s Privately-Owned Forests and Madagascar’s Co-managed State ForestsBackgroundOpen access copy available |
