Potential Carbon Sinks in Tropical Forests under the REDD+ Mechanism

Abstract

Accounting for up to 25% of global carbon emissions, tropical deforestation and forest degradation have increasingly brought international attention. The recognition of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancing carbon sinks in tropical forests (REDD+) in the Copenhagen Accord and the pledge of $3.5 billion fast-start climate finance for REDD+ preparatory activities suggests that appropriate approaches to managing tropical forests become necessary. As REDD+ involves the carbon-based financial compensation, avoided carbon emissions from the forests needs to be assessed. Here, we develop a carbon stock model for projecting carbon stock changes under two management scenarios, namely the baseline (business-as-usual) and REDD+ management. Baseline scenario is the management of forest using conventional logging practice, while REDD+ scenario involves the use of reduced impact logging (RIL) and RIL plus liberation treatment (RIL+). Our results suggest that REDD+ scenario could avoid carbon emissions of 2.06 MgC ha⁻¹ at the beginning of the management to 36.76-54.26 MgC ha⁻¹ at year 60 of the management. The REDD+ revenues from carbon sales are estimated at just about $2 in the first year to $107 and $159 ha⁻¹ under RIL and RIL+, respectively. REDD+ agreements will ensure the adoption of REDD+ scenario for managing tropical forests.