Uncertainty in establishing forest reference levels and predicting future forest-based carbon stocks for REDD+

Forest reference levels (FRLs) provide a benchmark for assessing reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), and they are central to demonstrate additionality of REDD+. Attaining realistic FRLs, however, is challenging, especially in complex mosaic landscapes. We established FRLs in northern Laos for different reference periods and tested them against actual carbon stock changes. Annual time series of Landsat satellite images were used to capture the subtle changes in carbon stocks in complex landscapes characterized by shifting cultivation. We found that FRLs differ considerably depending on the reference period chosen. Abrupt land-use changes occurred when hybrid maize replaced traditional shifting cultivation and forests, and this invalidated carbon stock trends that would have been predicted had the FRL been projected into the future. We conclude that demonstrating additionality of REDD+ in fast developing areas is difficult and that payment systems rewarding potential emission reductions against hypothetical extrapolation of FRLs are unlikely to be a cost-effective strategy.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Mertz, Ole, Grogan, Kenneth, Pflugmacher, Dirk, Lestrelin, Guillaume, Castella, Jean-Christophe, Vongvisouk, Thoumthone, Hett, Cornelia, Fensholt, Rasmus, Sun, Zhanli, Berry, Nicholas J., Müller, Daniel
Format:	article biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	K01 - Foresterie - Considérations générales, P33 - Chimie et physique du sol, P01 - Conservation de la nature et ressources foncières, forêt, forêt tropicale humide, déboisement, culture itinérante, cycle du carbone, séquestration du carbone, services écosystémiques, montant compensatoire, financement, protection de la forêt, Landsat, imagerie, cartographie de l'occupation du sol, cartographie des fonctions de la forêt, paysage, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3062, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7976, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_15590, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7038, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_17299, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_331583, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1348040570280, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_28654, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_29785, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_28075, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36766, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36760, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_9000094, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1374847637217, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4185, http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_12076,
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/586382/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/586382/7/Uncertainty%20in%20establishing%20forest%20reference%20levels%20and%20predicting%20future%20forest%20based%20carbon%20stocks%20for%20REDD.pdf
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