Carbon emissions from selective logging in the southern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

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Abstract

Abstract Tropical forests contain approximately 40% of the carbon accumulated in terrestrial biomass. However, the loss and degradation of forests worldwide liberates this carbon and contributes 11% of total global emissions. Forest degradation is an increasing source of carbon emissions, contributing 25% in tropical forest environments; and selective logging is among the principal causes. The central objective of this study was to evaluate biomass impacts and committed carbon emissions from selective logging in two forestry communities (ejidos with common forest use and rights) in the southern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. We compared emissions performance from logging operations in both ejidos, one of them certified as sustainably managed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The species of roundwood extracted as well as the number of impacted trees from harvesting were recorded and the type of collateral damage from felling, skidding, and transport of timber was quantified. Biomass of harvested timber and impacted vegetation was estimated to calculate carbon emissions using allometric equations. Results indicated that selective logging generated 1.2 Mg m-3 and 1.5 Mg m-3 of total carbon emissions in the Caobas and 20 de Noviembre ejidos, with 5% and 12% corresponding to collateral damage during felling, respectively. Overall lower committed emissions and collateral damage from felling and skidding were present in Caobas, the FSC certified ejido. We discuss how forest certification, through implementation of reduced impact logging (RIL) practices can significantly reduce carbon emissions from selective logging in the region.

Translated abstract

Resumen Los bosques tropicales contienen aproximadamente 40% del carbono acumulado en la biomasa terrestre. Sin embargo, la pérdida y degradación de los bosques libera este carbono y contribuye con 11% de las emisiones globales totales. La degradación forestal es una fuente creciente de emisiones de carbono, que contribuye con 25% en ambientes tropicales; y la tala selectiva es una de las principales causas. El objetivo central de este estudio fue evaluar los impactos a la biomasa y las emisiones de carbono generadas por la tala selectiva en dos comunidades forestales (ejidos con uso y derecho forestal común) en el sur de la Península de Yucatán, México. Se comparó el rendimiento de emisiones de las operaciones de tala en ambos ejidos, uno de ellos certificado con manejo sostenible por el Consejo de Administración Forestal (FSC). Se registraron las especies de madera en rollo extraídas, así como el número de árboles afectados por la cosecha, y se cuantificó el tipo de daño colateral causado por la tala, el arrastre y el transporte de madera. La biomasa de la madera cosechada y la vegetación impactada fue estimada para calcular las emisiones de carbono utilizando ecuaciones alométricas. Los resultados indicaron que la tala selectiva generó 1.2 Mg m-3 y 1.5 Mg m-3 de emisiones de carbono totales en los ejidos de Caobas y 20 de Noviembre, con 5% y 12% correspondientes a daños colaterales por derribo, respectivamente. En general, hubo menores emisiones generadas y daño colateral por derribo y arrastre en Caobas, el ejido certificado por FSC. Se discutió cómo la certificación forestal, a través de prácticas de tala de impacto reducido (RIL) pueden reducir significativamente las emisiones de carbono de la tala selectiva en la región.

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A contemporary assessment of change in humid tropical forests.

GREGORY P. ASNER, THOMAS K. RUDEL, T. MITCHELL AIDE … (2009)

In recent decades the rate and geographic extent of land-use and land-cover change has increased throughout the world's humid tropical forests. The pan-tropical geography of forest change is a challenge to assess, and improved estimates of the human footprint in the tropics are critical to understanding potential changes in biodiversity. We combined recently published and new satellite observations, along with images from Google Earth and a literature review, to estimate the contemporary global extent of deforestation, selective logging, and secondary regrowth in humid tropical forests. Roughly 1.4% of the biome was deforested between 2000 and 2005. As of 2005, about half of the humid tropical forest biome contained 50% or less tree cover. Although not directly comparable to deforestation, geographic estimates of selective logging indicate that at least 20% of the humid tropical forest biome was undergoing some level of timber harvesting between 2000 and 2005. Forest recovery estimates are even less certain, but a compilation of available reports suggests that at least 1.2% of the humid tropical forest biome was in some stage of long-term secondary regrowth in 2000. Nearly 70% of the regrowth reports indicate forest regeneration in hilly, upland, and mountainous environments considered marginal for large-scale agriculture and ranching. Our estimates of the human footprint are conservative because they do not resolve very small-scale deforestation, low-intensity logging, and unreported secondary regrowth, nor do they incorporate other impacts on tropical forest ecosystems, such as fire and hunting. Our results highlight the enormous geographic extent of forest change throughout the humid tropics and the considerable limitations of the science and technology available for such a synthesis.

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Global cost estimates of reducing carbon emissions through avoided deforestation.

Brent Sohngen, Ewald Rametsteiner, Jayant Sathaye … (2008)

Tropical deforestation is estimated to cause about one-quarter of anthropogenic carbon emissions, loss of biodiversity, and other environmental services. United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change talks are now considering mechanisms for avoiding deforestation (AD), but the economic potential of AD has yet to be addressed. We use three economic models of global land use and management to analyze the potential contribution of AD activities to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. AD activities are found to be a competitive, low-cost abatement option. A program providing a 10% reduction in deforestation from 2005 to 2030 could provide 0.3-0.6 Gt (1 Gt = 1 x 10(5) g) CO(2).yr(-1) in emission reductions and would require $0.4 billion to $1.7 billion.yr(-1) for 30 years. A 50% reduction in deforestation from 2005 to 2030 could provide 1.5-2.7 Gt CO(2).yr(-1) in emission reductions and would require $17.2 billion to $28.0 billion.yr(-1). Finally, some caveats to the analysis that could increase costs of AD programs are described.