1. The ecological and economic potential of carbon sequestration in forests: examples from South America.
- Author
-
de Koning F, Olschewski R, Veldkamp E, Benítez P, López-Ulloa M, Schlichter T, and de Urquiza M
- Subjects
- Argentina, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Ecuador, Environmental Monitoring, Greenhouse Effect, Carbon metabolism, Forestry economics, Trees
- Abstract
Costs of reforestation projects determine their competitiveness with alternative measures to mitigate rising atmospheric CO2 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.
- Published
- 2005