Carbon Stock Values Research Articles

The value of global timber carbon stock and impacts on product price

Timber can mitigate climate change because it can store carbon for decades. However, the value of timber carbon stocks has been neglected for a long time, which has led to overemphasize the production yields of timber. This approach is detrimental to increasing forest carbon sinks. Therefore, quantifying the economic value of the timber carbon stocks and incorporating it into timber prices have great practical significance for sustainable forest development and climate change mitigation. Moreover, the leakage of the global timber carbon stock value (TCSV) is prominent, and the flow patterns of the global trade-embodied TCSV should be determined to precisely evaluate the forest assets of individual economies. Based on the Exiobase database and a multi-regional input-output model, this study calculated the TCSV of 43 economies and 5 regions from 1995-2011 considering the cross-border transfer of TCSV. Furthermore, the effects of incorporating TCSV into timber prices on various product prices were explored. The results show that the top 10 surplus economies regarding the accumulated TCSV between 1995 and 2011 are the major contributors of production-based timber carbon stock value, and the top 10 deficit economies are dominated by developed economies with large net import-embodied TCSV. The ripple effect of the rising price of timber caused by TCSV as an environmental cost mainly influenced harvested wood products and energy-fuel products. The research findings provide a scientific assessment of the TCSV and contribute to advancing the timber pricing mechanism to increase forest carbon sinks.

High-Resolution Mapping of Forest Carbon Stock Using Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) Technique

This study assessed and mapped the aboveground tree carbon stock using very high-resolution satellite imagery (VHRS)—WorldView-2 in Barkot forest of Uttarakhand, India. The image was pan-sharpened to get the spectrally and spatially good-quality image. High-pass filter technique of pan-sharpening was found to be the best in this study. Object-based image analysis (OBIA) was carried out for image segmentation and classification. Multi-resolution image segmentation yielded 74% accuracy. The segmented image was classified into sal (Shorea robusta), teak (Tectona grandis) and shadow. The classification accuracy was found to be 83%. The relationship between crown projection area (CPA) and carbon was established in the field for both sal and teak trees. Using the relationship between CPA and carbon, the classified CPA map was converted to carbon stock of individual trees. Mean value of carbon stock per tree for sal was found to be 621 kg, whereas for teak it was 703 kg per tree. The study highlighted the utility of OBIA and VHRS imagery for mapping high-resolution carbon stock of forest.

ESTIMATION OF BRUGUIERA’S CARBON STOCK IN BERBAK AND SEMBILANG NATIONAL PARK BANYUASIN SOUTH SUMATERA

The potential for the carbon content of mangrove forests is four times greater than other forest, this important information needs to be measured to determine the value of carbon stocks at a given time and their changes. The research was done in November 2018-March 2019 in Berbak and Sembilang National Park, Banyuasin, South Sumatra, in each location three transect lines were determined perpendicular to the land as far as 100 m and made 5 plots of 10 x10 m with a distance between plots of 10 m on each transect. The aims are to determine species richness, biomass value, estimated stored carbon reserves, and CO2 uptake in Bruguiera spp. stands. Analysis of comparison of the results of data using descriptive statistical analysis. Based on the results of the study found 4 types of Bruguiera spp. that is Bruguiera cylindrica, Bruguiera parviflora, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, and Bruguiera sexangula. The total value of the biomass of 410,01 ton/ha, carbon stocks estimation of 189,02 ton C/ha, and the CO2 uptake of 693,69 ton CO2/ha. The results of a statistic descriptive analysis of estimated carbon stocks and CO2 uptake, in Barong Kecil river where of the most areas has been deforested into ponds, have the lowest value than the other research locations like Solok Buntu and Bungin river, with sequential carbon values of 11,51 ton C/ha in Barong Kecil river, 227,66 ton C/ha in Bungin river, and 327,88 ton C/ha in Solok Buntu river, and CO2 uptake of 42,23 ton CO2/ha in Barong Kecil river, 835,52 ton CO2/ha in Bungin river, and 1.203,33 ton CO2/ha in Solok Buntu river.

Above-ground carbon stock at Kamojang Regions, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Kuncoro DD, Husodo T, Kusmoro J, Hendrawan R, Suroso, Afriyanti F, Megantara EN. 2020. Above-ground carbon stock at Kamojang Regions, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 1749-1754. Kamojang is one of the regions that have the potential for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration and carbon storage for the southern side of West Java Province, Indonesia. The existence of vegetation as a provider of ecological services in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption and carbon storage certainly has a very important role, either in living conditions (biomass) or dead conditions (necromass). The aims of this study are to determine the total amount of above-ground carbon stock and determine the type of land-use that has the greatest carbon storage potential in the Kamojang region. Data collection in this research combines destructive and non-destructive methods. The measurement of biomass was carried out by the non-destructive sampling method for the category of sapling, poles, trees and necromass and the destructive sampling method for the category of undergrowth and litter. The results showed total above-ground carbon stored in Kamojang area is 4,995.75 t C with the largest potential value of carbon stock in the pine production forest of 163.79 t C/ha.

Towards Forest Landscape Restoration Programs in the Philippines: Evidence from Logged Forests and Mixed-Species Plantations

With only 7.01 million hectares of remaining forested areas in the Philippines, there is an urgency to protect these areas, while also implementing restoration strategies to increase forest cover and improve forest functionality. In this study, we assess how the so called “rainforestation” approach, attempts to implement close-to-nature restoration strategies in humid tropic areas. One of the main objectives of the “rainforestation” approach as a form of a mixed-species plantation is the rehabilitation of structural and floristic integrity similar to natural conditions. We compared study areas located in the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte composed of logged forests (temporary plots), with logged forests on a permanent research plot and with mixed-species plantations. Basal area, carbon stocks, volume and biological diversity between study areas were calculated and compared, both for static and dynamic data. Results from the static data indicate that carbon stocks (89.30 t ha−1) and volume (262.56 m3 ha−1) of the mixed-species plantations (“rainforestation” approach) is significantly lower than that of the logged forests. However, when it comes to the capacity of the study areas for potential increments, the mixed-species plantations are not significantly different on basal area increment (0.99 m2 ha−1 yr−1), carbon stock increment (3.67 t ha−1 yr−1) and total volume increment (10.47 m3 ha−1 yr−1) as compared to the logged forests’ capacity (basal area—1.08 m2 ha−1 yr−1, carbon—4.06 t ha−1 yr−1 and total volume—11.98 m3 ha−1 yr−1). The species composition was only partly comparable to logged forests of the region, but overall tree species richness is high in comparison to classical plantation approaches. Previously logged forests are able to recover fast reaching surprisingly high values of carbon stocks and potential commercial timber volume. Our study indicates that “rainforestation” cannot fully replace the functionality of natural forests, but can provide a surprisingly multifunctional tool for landscape restoration, providing both timber and non-timber ecosystem services.

Spatial pattern of carbon mangrove stock based on habitat characteristics in Bali Province

Although climate change mitigation regarding mangrove forest management has been given significant international attention during the past decade, there are no sufficiently reliable data to quantify the availability of carbon stock in mangrove forests. The mangrove forest in the Bali Province is divided into three habitat types, namely an open bay located in the West Bali National Park, a semi-closed bay located in Tahura Ngurah Rai and a small island in the protected forest of Nusa Lembongan. The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between carbon stock characteristics of mangrove forests with the different types and morphologies of mangrove forest habitats. Biomass calculations were carried out by using the allometric formula. However, the similar allometric equations produced varying accuracies at different locations. Results revealed that the mangrove forest carbon stock for the semi-closed bay habitat has the highest estimation value of 51.35 tons/ha and a positive relationship pattern of 60 %. On the contrary, the lowest carbon stock value is the open bay beach with a value 26.28 tons/ha and positive relationship pattern of 48 %. This study reveals that each type of mangrove forest habitat has its own living ecosystem characteristics that affect the carbon stock value.

Carbon uptake and stock potency in Tunda Island mangrove ecosystem, Serang, Banten, Indonesia

Research on carbon uptake and stock potency in Tunda Island mangrove ecosystem was conducted from April to June 2016. The aims of the present study were to analyze carbon stock and uptake, identify the mangrove species most able to take up and store carbon, and estimate the carbon price of Tunda Island mangrove ecosystem. Transects were established at six stations, representative of the southern and eastern areas of mangrove vegetation in Tunda Island. Results show that the biomass of Tunda Island mangrove ecosystem was 196.76 ton/ha, the carbon stock was 91.48 ton/ha, and carbon uptake was 335.06 ton/ha. At the tree and sapling level, the greatest carbon stock and uptake value was found in Excoecaria agallocha species with 107.47 ton/ha and 392.23 ton/ha, respectively. Tunda Island mangrove ecosystem has an estimated total carbon price of Rp. 88,690,382–Rp. 221,725,955 per hectare.

Assessment of forest cover and carbon stock changes in sub-tropical pine forest of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan using multi-temporal Landsat satellite data and field inventory.

This study aimed at estimating temporal (1989–2018) change in forest cover, carbon stock and trend in corresponding CO2 emissions/sequestration of a sub-tropical pine forest (STPF) in AJK, Pakistan. Our field inventory estimation shows an average above ground biomass (AAGB) accumulation of 0.145 Kt/ha with average carbon stock (ACS) value of 0.072 Kt/ha. Landsat TM, ETM+ and OLI images of 1989, 1993, 1999, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2018 were used to extract vegetation fractions through Linear Spectral Mixture Analysis (LSMA) and forest area was calculated for respective years. Based on the forest area and estimated ACS value, the biomass carbon stock with corresponding CO2 emissions/sequestration was worked out for each time and change in forest carbon stock was determined for different time periods from 1989 to 2018. Our analysis shows net increase of 561 ha in forest cover and 40.39 Kt of ACS along with increase in corresponding CO2 sequestrations of 147.83 Kt over the study period. The results based on combination of remote sensing and field inventory provide valuable information and scientific basis to plan and ensure sustainable forest management (SFM) through reforestation, protection and conservation to enhance and maintain adequate forest cover and reduce CO2 emissions.

Soil Organic Carbon Stock under Different Age Ranges of Cashew Agroecosystems in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon

The aim of this study was to quantify the current soil organic carbon stock under different age ranges of cashew agroecosystems in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon in the context of greenhouse gas emissions and land degradation. It is so crucial for combating climate change and improving ecological restoration. Random field sampling was carried out on 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm depths were collected in three age groups (0-10; 10-20; over 20 years old) of Cashew agroecosystems. Soil bulk density, Soil reaction (pH), moisture content, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, particle size distribution and soil organic carbon were determined using standard laboratory procedures and calculations. The results of the study did not reveal a significant difference in soil organic carbon stock across the different age groups of the cashew agroecosystems (P>0.05). The highest values of soil organic carbon stocks were observed in the 0-10 cm depth. Soils under plots with over 20 cashew agroecosystems in Benoue subdivisions recorded higher SOCS values (36.30±2.92 tC/ha). Similarly, the SOCS decreased with soil depth in all three age groups of Cashew agroecosystems. The mean SOC concentrations (%) ranged from 0.20±0.02-0.41±0.10%. Soil organic carbon stock ranged from 16.45±0.73-37.04±2.32 tC/ha depending on depth between the three age ranges of Cashew agroecosystems studied in the four subdivisions. The Cashew agroecosystems soils with high C stock are those with sandy loamy texture (25.79±2.29 tC/ha). Results showed a positive and significant (P 0.05) with % Sand, % Silt, % Clay, % Silt + Clay. The results show the potential contribution of Cashew agroecosystems to improve soil organic carbon sequestration and environmental protection. This information will be necessary for developing appropriate technological and political solutions to increase agricultural sustainability and combat environmental degradation in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon.

Geospatial Modeling of Blue Carbon Ecosystem Coastal Degradation in Jakarta Bay

Jakarta Bay is shallow water which is used for various activities, currently experiencing environment, soil,and sediment degradation. Jakarta Bay experienced rapid development, population growth, increased economic activity and utilization of coastal resources. The development of Jakarta Bay is carried out to balance land necessity and overcome the problem of land subsidence through reclamation and construction of sea dikes. Ecosystem services arethe contribution of various interrelated ecological structures and functions, mangrove ecosystems provide services as an important part of the carbon cycle. Mangroves use CO2 for photosynthesis and store it in Biomass and sediment stock. Mangrove ecosystems in Jakarta Bay have been degraded and deforested due to land conversion for settlement, facilities, and other activities, in line with the increasing population. The calculation of the service value of mangrove ecosystems is limited to economic valuation and descriptive account, geospatial modelling has not been widely carried out, this has caused widespread and temporal unknown data on ecosystem services. The Coastal Blue Carbon geospatial modelling used in this study requires land use classification data input based on the interpretation of Landsat satellite's images and global carbon deposits in mangrove ecosystems while carbon prices are based on Social Cost Carbon (SCC), Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and International Voluntary Market Price (IVMP). This study produced a map of the dynamics of carbon stock, sequestration, emissions, accumulation and net present value of carbon. The output of these maps is expected to be a referencefor sustainable mangrove management, coastal area planning optimization with mangrove ecosystem protection so it can be part of climate change mitigation efforts in Jakarta Bay.

Potential of Carbon Stocks and Its Economic Values in Tropical Karst Landscape (Case Study in Biduk-Biduk Karst, East Kalimantan, Indonesia)

Karst especially tropical karst landscape has a potential value to store an amount of both organic and inorganic carbon. Tropical karst landscape can store organic carbon derived from forest ecosystem biomass that covers this karst landscape. While inorganic carbon stocks in tropical karst landscape are stored on carbonate rock (CaCO3). This potential can be calculated to identify the economic carbon value to support carbon trade program in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This research aims to (1) identify carbon stocks value from organic and inorganic carbon in the study area; (2) calculate economic carbon value in the study area. Organic carbon stocks were measured using field measurement to calculate aboveground, belowground, and litter biomass. Calculation of aboveground, belowground, and litter biomass was measured based on the standard method in SNI 7724: 2011. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method was used to identify the CaO concentration in carbonate rock. This CaO concentration was measured to calculate carbon (C) concentration in carbonate rock formation namely inorganic carbon stocks. Economic carbon value was calculated using cost-benefit transfer method. Biduk-Biduk Karst Region has a big value of organic carbon stocks of 0.007 Pg-C and inorganic carbon stocks of 9.02 Pg-C. Therefore, the total carbon stock in Biduk-Biduk Karst Region is 9.037 Pg-C. Based on the total value of carbon stocks, Biduk-Biduk Karst has a total economic value of US$ 45,171,544,296.

Ecological and economic balance modeling for regional multifunctional sustainable forest management

Balance as a principle of long-term sustainable development is considered in the context of forest management results in Russian regions (forest industry production) in comparison with results of carbon storage of forest ecosystems. These results reflect two main functions of forest potential: socio-economic (consumer) and socio-natural (carbon depositing). Considering various quantitative and qualitative aspects of their relevance, the latter should be recognized as an emphasis. Five concepts characterize effects of forests ecosystem function. To determine the value of carbon stocks used, two variants of income function in the regional ecological and economic system are considered. The models were approved using regions typology adapted for state forest management purposes according to the criteria of forest cover and development. In each group, representing a separate type of regions (multi-forest, medium-forest, low-forest and underdeveloped), new spatial configurations were formed, which indicated fundamental differences in carbon cost by Russian regions. Calculations make it possible to justify charges introduction for carbon stocks consumption in the region and differentiation of fee rates. Modelling allows to substantiate imperative of compliance with ecological and economic balance between deforestation (timber harvesting) and carbon storage. The study results provide a basis for differentiated state policy of forest management based on regional characteristics.

ESTIMASI STOK KARBON MENGGUNAKAN SPEKTRAL BAND 6 CITRA LANDSAT 8 PADA KAWASAN MANGROVE DI SUNGAI TALLO, KOTA MAKASSAR SULAWESI SELATAN TAHUN 2018

Kota Makassar merupakan salah satu kota dataran rendah di Indonesia dengan ketinggian yang bervariasi antara 1-25 meter di atas permukaan laut yang banyak ditumbuhi oleh tanaman mangrove di salah satu sungai nya yaitu Sungai Tallo. Tanaman mangrove yang tumbuh didaerah tersebut dapat dipergunakan untuk menduga nilai estimasi stok karbon melalui biomassanya, namun hal ini masih belum banyak dilakukan lantaran lokasinya yang jauh terutama untuk para peneliti dari luar Kota Makassar sehingga dana yang diperlukan untuk melakukan pengamatan langsung ini pun menjadi lebih besar. Oleh sebab itu penelitian ini dilakukan dengan maksud memanfaatkan Sistem Informasi Geografi dan citra Landsat 8 untuk dapat mengetahui nilai estimasi stok karbon menggunakan spectral band 6 citra satelit Landsat 8 dengan biomassa pada kawasan mangrove di Sungai Tallo Kota Makassar Sulawesi Selatan pada tahun 2018 tanpa perlu datang ke lokasi nya langsung. Data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini meliputi citra satelit Landsat 8 Kota Makassar yang diperoleh dari website earthexplorer.usgs.gov , data tutupan lahan tahun 2016, dan data shp wilayah Kota Makassar. Nilai estmasi potensi biomassa didapat dengan persamaan hasil regresi di kawasan mangrove di Sungai Tallo Makassar dengan nilai maksimumnya sebesar 1115.40 ton/ha dan nilai minimumnya 168.65 ton/ha dengan nilai estimasi stok karbon diperoleh dari 46% dari biomassa sehingga diperolehlah nilai estimasi stok karbon maksimumnya sebesar 513.08 ton/ha dan minimumnya sebesar 77.57 ton/ha.

Estimation of Biomass and Soil Carbon Stock in Pinus roxburghii and Quercus leucotrichophora Forests of District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

A study was conducted to estimate the biomass and soil carbon stock in various sites of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Chir pine) and Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (Ban oak) forests of district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh during the year 2015-2016. In case of chir pine forests, the amount of carbon stock in Guma site for above ground, below ground, under storey and litter was 80.05, 16.01, 3.24 and 1.55 tC/ha, respectively. Whereas, values of carbon stock at Dhami site were 192.92, 38.58, 1.71 and 1.57 tC/ha, respectively. The biomass as well as the carbon stock was higher at Dhami site than Guma site. The soil organic carbon stock (tC/ha) at 10-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm was 22.45, 19.99 and 12.36, respectively at Guma site. Whereas, these values at different depths were 23.23, 20.17 and 15.59 tC/ha, respectively for Dhami site. The value of total soil carbon stock was more (58.98 tC/ha) at Dhami site than Guma site (54.80 tC/ha) upto 45cm depth. In case of Ban oak forests, the amount of carbon stock in Taradevi site for above ground, below ground, under storey and litter was 151.27, 37.82, 3.04 and 1.52 tC/ha, respectively. Whereas, values of carbon stock at Koti site were 74.25, 18.56, 1.24 and 1.26 tC/ha, respectively. Total biomass as well as the carbon stock was higher at Taradevi site than Koti site. The soil organic carbon stock (tC/ha) at 10-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm was 42.07, 29.70 and 14.78, respectively at Tardevi site. Whereas, these values for three depths were 36.60 , 27.72 and 18.72 tC/ha, respectively for Koti site. The value of total soil carbon stock was more at Tardevi site (86.55 tC/ha) than Koti site (83.04 tC/ha).

Estimasi Stok Karbon pada Biomassa Lamun di Pulau Semak Daun, Kepulauan Seribu

<strong>Carbon Stock Estimation in Seagrass Biomass on Semak Daun Island, Thousand Islands</strong>. Seagrass ecosystem has a vital role in protecting the coastal ecosystem. It can also sequester and store carbon as an organic material (blue carbon) for a long time. However, anthropogenic activities in coastal areas give environmental stress on the seagrass ecosystem. This research was conducted to assess the carbon stock of seagrass biomass in Semak Daun Island in order to evaluate the potential of the seagrass meadows in sequestering carbon. Sampling and observation were held in the seagrass ecosystem to obtain seagrass density, biomass, frequency of occurrence, water quality, and anthropogenic activity. Carbon stock was calculated by the loss of ignition (LOI) method, and combined with density to determine the total carbon stock in the whole area of seagrass meadows. Seagrass species in Semak Daun Island consist of Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Halodule uninervis. The coverage area of seagrass in Semak Daun Island was 9.1 ha with carbon stock value of 1.84 ton C or equivalent to 6.76 ton CO2. Fifty two percent of the carbon stock was originated from the below-ground biomass and 48% from the above-ground biomass.

Are protected areas preserving ecosystem services and biodiversity? Insights from Mediterranean forests and shrublands

Protected areas (PAs) are essential for biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services (ES), representing 15% of the earth’s surface and targeted to increase until 17% by 2020. But previous studies showed different results on the effectiveness of PAs in preserving ES and biodiversity, which has implications for landscape conservation. (1) To know whether the spatial distribution of ES (carbon stocks and water provision), biodiversity (woody and bird richness) and conservation variables (threatened bird richness, habitats and geology) varies between PAs (with different protection status) and buffer zones; and (2) to quantify and compare the percentage of high values (hotspots) of ES, biodiversity and conservation variables inside PAs (with different protection status) and buffer zones. We analyzed 108 PAs from a Mediterranean region using linear mixed models with ES, biodiversity and conservation variables as response factors, and type of zone (PA vs buffer) and protection status as fixed factors. We found higher values of carbon stocks in PAs than in buffer zones. We also found more coverage of community-interest habitats, priority-habitats and geological-interest sites in PAs than in buffer zones. However, PAs with higher degree of protection did not provide higher levels of ecosystem services and biodiversity, or vice versa. We found more hotspots of woody richness, bird richness and threatened bird richness in buffer zones than in PAs. This study highlights the importance of landscape planning in conservation, which should include PAs within broader landscapes by considering also their buffer zones and non-PAs. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating ES and biodiversity to define effective conservation policies.

Carbon stock assessment using forest canopy density mapper in agroforestry land in Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Hartoyo APP, Prasetyo LB, Siregar IZ, Supriyanto, Theilade I, Siregar UJ. 2019. Carbon stock assessment using forest canopy density mapper in agroforestry land in Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 2661-2676. In the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) program, remote sensing is the most important tool for measuring forest cover and carbon dynamic, including the utilization of software Forest Canopy Density (FCD) mapper. However, there have been rarely untested the accuracy of FCD applied in agroforestry landscapes to support carbon stock assessment compared to conventional field measurement data. This research was aimed to investigate the correlation between: (i) the value of FCD (%) and tree stand density (N/ha), (ii) the value of FCD (%) and basal area (m2/ha), (iii) the value of FCD (%) and total carbon stock (Mg C/ha), and iv) total carbon stock and percentage of canopy closure (%). Tree stand density, basal area, carbon stock and canopy profile were conventionally measured by trained members of local communities. The results of this study showed that the R2 between FCD and tree density was 37.7% (r = 61.4%), while the R2 between FCD and the basal area was 3.33% (r = 18.3%). The result of normality and heteroscedasticity tests showed that FCD was more accurate and precise in estimating the tree stand density model than the basal area model. Total carbon stock differed significantly (p<0.1) from tree density with R2 = 27.7% (r = 27.3%). Total carbon can be predicted using FCD with total carbon (Mg C/ha) = 13.005 + 0.826 FCD. Our findings suggest that FCD can be used as a new method to estimate tree density and total carbon stock cheaply, efficiently and accurately to support carbon stock assessment in agroforest practices. In carbon assessment, total carbon stock can also be estimated using canopy closure measurement.

Approaches to quantifying carbon emissions from degradation in pan‐tropic forests—Implications for effective REDD monitoring

AbstractSpecial attention is needed to quantify emissions from human‐induced degradation in forest lands because these data are more uncertain and less comprehensive than deforestation data in target countries in the United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) programme. This study illustrates a Residual Trends (RESTREND) technique with a new baseline that isolates the human influence from natural climatic fluctuations to estimate emissions from forest degradation in countries across the tropics. Based on the recommended Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change methodology and framework, we found a pattern of high carbon density of 183 t C/ha in degraded areas, which was on average 1.5 times that of deforestation areas. Further analysis revealed that the initial value of carbon stock in degraded areas was about 5.45 Pg C during 2002–2012. We found that 17% of countries displayed values more than 100% of those from deforestation under the low degradation emission scenario, whereas 23% of countries displayed values less than 10% under the high degradation emission scenario. Thus, at a national level, with such an approach REDD could be further optimized and REDD targets could be achieved in an effective way.

Determining the Value of Soil Inorganic Carbon Stocks in the Contiguous United States Based on the Avoided Social Cost of Carbon Emissions

Carbon sequestered as soil inorganic carbon (SIC) provides a regulating ecosystem service, which can be assigned a monetary value based on the avoided social cost of carbon (SC-CO2). By definition, the SC-CO2 is a measure, in dollars, of the long-term damage resulting from the emission of a metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, this dollar figure also represents the value of damages avoided due to an equivalent reduction or sequestration of CO2. The objective of this study was to assess the value of SIC stocks in the contiguous United States (U.S.) by soil order, soil depth (0–20, 20–100, 100–200 cm), land resource region (LRR), state, and region using information from the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) database together with a reported SC-CO2 of $42 (U.S. dollars). With this approach, the calculated monetary value for total SIC storage in the contiguous U.S. was between $3.48T (i.e., $3.48 trillion U.S. dollars, where T = trillion = 1012) and $14.4T, with a midpoint value of $8.34T. Soil orders with the highest (midpoint) values for SIC storage were: 1) Mollisols ($3.57T), 2) Aridisols ($1.99T), and 3) Alfisols ($841B) (i.e., $841B is 841 billion U.S. dollars, where B = billion = 109). When normalized by land area, the soil orders with the highest (midpoint) values for SIC storage were: 1) Vertisols ($3.57 m−2), 2) Aridisols ($2.45 m−2), and 3) Mollisols ($1.77 m−2). Most of the SIC value was associated with the 100–200 cm depth interval, with a midpoint value of $4T and an area-normalized value of $0.54 m−2. The LRRs with the highest (midpoint) values of SIC storage were: 1) D—Western Range and Irrigated Region ($1.77T), 2) H—Central Great Plains Winter Wheat and Range Region ($1.49T), and 3) M—Central Feed Grains and Livestock Region ($1.02T). When normalized by land area, the LRRs were ranked: 1) I—Southwest Plateaus and Plains Range and Cotton Region ($5.36 m−2), 2) J—Southwestern Prairies Cotton and Forage Region ($4.56 m−2), and 3) H—Central Great Plains Winter Wheat and Range Region ($2.56 m−2). States with the highest (midpoint) values for SIC storage were: 1) Texas ($2.96T), 2) New Mexico ($572B), and 3) Montana ($524B). When normalized by land area, the states were ranked: 1) Texas ($4.47 m−2), 2) Utah ($2.77 m−2), and 3) Minnesota ($2.17 m−2). Lastly, regions with the highest (midpoint) values for SIC storage were: 1) South Central ($3.13T), 2) West ($1.98T), and 3) Northern Plains ($1.62T). When normalized by land area, the regions were ranked: 1) South Central ($2.90 m−2), 2) Midwest ($1.32 m−2), and 3) West ($1.02 m−2). Results from this study demonstrate a new approach for assigning monetary values to SIC stocks at various scales based on their role in providing ecosystem services for climate regulation and carbon sequestration.

Carbon stock estimation of seagrass species thalassia hempricii using planet imagery with band ratio transformation in nirwana beach, padang city

Coastal ecosystems such as seagrass beds can store large amounts of carbon over a relatively long period of time, so a special study is needed for the seagrass ecosystem. Nirwana Beach located in Padang City presents an overview of extensive seagrass ecosystem. The carbon stock is estimated by utilizing Planet imagery with spatial resolution 3m with band ratio transformation method. Band ratio used are band ratio Green / Blue, Green / Red, and Blue / Red. Data processing is done based on correlation analysis and regression analysis between band ratio pixel value on image with value of carbon stock in field. The results show that band ratio of Green / Red has the highest r2 indicating a strong correlation relationship. The carbon stock in Nirwana Beach with total carbon 3,776,42 gC / m2 or or 3,78 kgC / m2. Accuracy test is done with standard estimate error where the highest accuracy value is obtained through the Green / Red band ratio with accuracy percent 59.98%. This research shows that the carbon stock estimation in Nirwana Beach is underestimate.