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The carbon sequestration potential of tree crop plantations

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  • Rico Kongsager
  • Jonas Napier
  • Ole Mertz

Abstract

Carbon (C) conservation and sequestration in many developing countries needs to be accompanied by socio-economic improvements. Tree crop plantations can be a potential path for coupling climate change mitigation and economic development by providing C sequestration and supplying wood and non-wood products to meet domestic and international market requirements at the same time. Financial compensation for such plantations could potentially be covered by the Clean Development Mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) Kyoto Protocol, but its suitability has also been suggested for integration into REDD + (reducing emissions from deforestation, forest degradation and enhancement of forest C stocks) currently being negotiated under the United Nations FCCC. We assess the aboveground C sequestration potential of four major plantation crops – cocoa (Theobroma cacao), oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), and orange (Citrus sinesis) – cultivated in the tropics. Measurements were conducted in Ghana and allometric equations were applied to estimate biomass. The largest C potential was found in the rubber plantations (214 tC/ha). Cocoa (65 tC/ha) and orange (76 tC/ha) plantations have a much lower C content, and oil palm (45 tC/ha) has the lowest C potential, assuming that the yield is not used as biofuel. There is considerable C sequestration potential in plantations if they are established on land with modest C content such as degraded forest or agricultural land, and not on land with old-growth forest. We also show that simple C assessment methods can give reliable results, which makes it easier for developing countries to partake in REDD + or other payment schemes. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Rico Kongsager & Jonas Napier & Ole Mertz, 2013. "The carbon sequestration potential of tree crop plantations," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 18(8), pages 1197-1213, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:18:y:2013:i:8:p:1197-1213
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-012-9417-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Germer & J. Sauerborn, 2008. "Estimation of the impact of oil palm plantation establishment on greenhouse gas balance," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 10(6), pages 697-716, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Silvina M. Manrique & Judith Franco, 2020. "Tree cover increase mitigation strategy: implications of the “replacement approach” in carbon storage of a subtropical ecosystem," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 1481-1508, December.
    2. Ximena Rueda & Andrea Paz & Theodora Gibbs‐Plessl & Ronald Leon & Byron Moyano & Eric F Lambin, 2018. "Smallholders at a Crossroad: Intensify or Fall behind? Exploring Alternative Livelihood Strategies in a Globalized World," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 215-229, February.
    3. Rico Kongsager, 2018. "Linking Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: A Review with Evidence from the Land-Use Sectors," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Nath, Arun Jyoti & Sileshi, Gudeta W. & Das, Ashesh Kumar, 2018. "Bamboo based family forests offer opportunities for biomass production and carbon farming in North East India," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 191-200.

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