Reducing Carbon Emissions through Improved Forest Management in Cambodia

Issei Abe,Kimsun Chheng,Hiroshi Ninomiya,Vathana Khun,Somanta Chan,Nophea Sasaki

doi:10.4236/lce.2013.44a006

Abstract

Carbon emissions from selectively logged forests in the tropics are strongly affected by logging practices. Although tropical forests are mainly managed under the concession system, only a handful of studies were done to assess the impact of logging practices on emission reductions and future timber supply. In this report, carbon stocks, timber supply, and carbon emission reductions under conventional logging (CVL), reduced-impact logging (RIL), and RIL with special silvicultural treatments (RIL+) were assessed in 3.4 million ha of concession forests for a 55-year project time span. Carbon emissions under a 25-year CVL practiced in Cambodia were estimated at 12.4 TgCO2 year-1 for 55 years. We then tested four cutting cycles of selective logging and our results suggest that a 45-year selective cutting cycle was appropriate for managing concession forests in Cambodia in terms of maintaining commercial timber supply and reducing carbon emissions. By considering RIL or RIL+ as a new logging practice for improving forest management in the tropics, carbon credits from selective logging in Cambodia were estimated at 6.2 - 7.9 TgCO2 or about $31.0 - 39.5 million annually if carbon is priced at $5. It is concluded that RIL or RIL+ should be adopted for “sustainable management of forests” element of the REDD+ scheme.

Highlights

The anticipated REDD+ agreements have attracted increasing research to estimate the carbon emission reductions and the associated costs of implementing the specified management activities, and how such emission reductions can be monitored and verified
Improved forest management through adoption of reduced-impact logging (RIL)+ could result in significant reductions of carbon emissions due to selective logging
Our study suggests that carbon credits generated from switching from destructive logging to sound logging practice (i.e. RIL or RIL+) are huge and would be attractive to project developers if there are continued financial incentives and/or carbon markets for carbon credits from sustainable management of forests

Summary

Introduction

The anticipated REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of carbon sinks) agreements have attracted increasing research to estimate the carbon emission reductions and the associated costs of implementing the specified management activities, and how such emission reductions can be monitored and verified. Kindermann et al [3] suggest that 50% of carbon emissions from tropical deforestation could be halted at carbon prices of $5.20 38.15 per MgCO2 (tonne CO2) varying by continents. Sasaki and Yoshimoto [4] focused on the opportunity costs of managing tropical forests versus clearing these forests to develop industrial plantations, and suggested that managing tropical forests for timber production under the REDD+ mechanism would be preferable because of the huge potential revenues and other benefits from the ecosystem services provided by these forests. Previous studies clarified the fundamental basis for understanding the potential of REDD+, achieving carbon emission reductions and maintaining timber supply from the selectively logged forests are still debatable [6,7]

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Conclusion