1. The Ecological and Economic Potential of Carbon Sequestration in Forests: Examples from South America.
- Author
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De Koning, Free, Olschewski, Roland, Veldkamp, Edzo, Benítez, Pablo, López-Ulloa, Magdalena, Schlichter, Tomás, and De Urquiza, Mercedes
- Subjects
REFORESTATION ,CARBON sequestration ,FORESTS & forestry ,FOREST biomass ,BIOMASS - Abstract
Costs of reforestation projects determine their competitiveness with alternative measures to mitigate rising atmospheric CO
2 concentrations. We quantify carbon sequestration in above-ground biomass and soils of plantation forests and secondary forests in two countries in South America--Ecuador and Argentina--and calculate costs of temporary carbon sequestration. Costs per temporary certified emission reduction unit vary between 0.1 and 2.7 USD Mg-1 CO2 and mainly depend on opportunity costs, site suitability, discount rates, and certification costs. In Ecuador, secondary forests are a feasible and cost-efficient alternative, whereas in Argentina reforestation on highly suitable land is relatively cheap. Our results can be used to design cost-effective sink projects and to negotiate fair carbon prices for landowners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2005
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