Projects
Carbon sequestration versus bioenergy: A case study from South India exploring the relative land-use efficiency of two options for climate change mitigationbackgroundThis study explores avenues to meet increased rural electricity demand with carbon emissions mitigation. The study compares the option of energy derived from gasification of biomass from forest plantations to energy derived from fossil fuels, with forest plantations used as a carbon sink.The case study uses power demand, land requirements, and management approaches for Hosahalli village, Karnataka, pop. 218. Available with subscription or purchase |
Patterns of Carbon Sequestration in Forests of Western Ghats and Study of Applicability of Remote Sensing in Generating Carbon Credits through Afforestation/ReforestationBackgroundUsing ground-based observations coupled with satellite remote sensing, this study aims to estimate the potential of the forests of Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary (Western Ghats, India) to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide and to identify land which has the potential for reforestation activity under the Clean Development Mechanism. Available with subscription or purchase |
Spatial Interpolation of Carbon Stock: A Case Study from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, IndiaBackgroundThis study in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats estimates the biomass and carbon stock of major tropical forest types in India and attempts to identify suitable interpolation techniques to map carbon stock. Open access copy available |
Restoration success: how is it being measured?BackgroundGlobal criteria of restoration success should be clearly established to evaluate restoration projects. Various governments, institutes, and authors use varying criteria, leading to potential misprioritization of goals. Recently, the Society of Ecological Restoration International (SER) produced a Primer that includes key ecosystem attributes that should be considered when evaluating restoration success. Available with subscription or purchase |
Restoring Ecological FunctionsbackgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
Readiness for REDD: Financial Governance and Lessons from Indonesia’s Reforestation Fund (RF)backgroundThis article explains how REDD payments can generate significant financial flows into Indonesia, and how efficient and transparent financial governance is necessary. Using the history of the Indonesia's Reforestation Fund, this article offers recommendations for effective REDD financial management. Open access copy available |
Semeando Sustentabilidade em Apuí (Seedling Sustainability in Apuí)The project aims to strengthen environmental management in Apuí, and to increase capacity for the development of more sustainable productive activities. To achieve this goal the project works simultaneously on reinforcing the network of seeds and seedling production, strengthening institutions, supporting planting and forest conservation, building capacity of landholders in rural properties, and providing environmental education and assistance for the creation of a development plan for the municipality. By means of the rotational management of pastures, the project predicts that it will be possible to identify the best alternative to increase production and profitability while simultaneously halting the advancement of deforestation. Open access copy available |
Quantitative Assessment of People-Oriented Forestry in Bangladesh: A Case Study in the Tangail Forest DivisionbackgroundThis research evaluates the profitability of three different types of plantation - strip, agroforestry, and woodlot - grown via a people-oriented forestry program in Bangladesh. Research Goals & MethodsThis research is based on case study analysis and utilizes participant interviews, focus group discussions, and analyzing annual costs from the Tangail Divisional Forest office. From this data, the researchers were able to describe net present values and benfit-cost ratios. Open access copy available |
Modified Taungya System in Ghana: A Win–Win Practice for Forestry and Adaptation to Climate Change?backgroundAvailable with subscription or purchase |
China's sloping land conversion program: Institutional innovation or business as usual?BackgroundChina’s Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP) is the largest land retirement program in the developing world, having the goal of converting 14.67 million hectares of cropland to forests by 2010, primarily targeting high-slope and marginal lands. The program is being implemented in more than 2000 counties across 25 provinces in China and affects tens of millions of rural households using PES models to promote afforestation. Open access copy available |

