Citation
Catterall C., . and J. Kanowski, . and P. Grimbacher, . (2011) The capacity of different plantation designs to restore stocks of carbon versus biodiversity. [Proceedings Paper]
Abstract
The emergence of carbon markets has provided a potential source of funding for tropical forest restoration which is also important as a tool for averting biodiversity losses and species extinctions that are currently likely if landscapes remain heavily-cleared. Bio-sequestration projects tend to adopt plantation designs that were developed for timber production by using fast-growing tree species at low diversity and density. By contrast many species of forestdependent fauna and flora have specific habitat requirements that are better provided by plantation designs for ecological restoration in which a high diversity of tree species and plant life-forms are planted at high density and diversity. It is therefore possible that carbon and biodiversity goals may need to be traded off within particular plantation designs. We tested for synergies or trade-offs in these goals by measuring both above-ground carbon and biodiversity as indicated by functional or species composition of plants birds reptiles and epigaeic beetles in 20 young 10-20 year plantations of three types: monoculture timber five sites mixed-species timber five sites and ecological restoration 10 sites in a rainforest landscape of north-eastern Australia. Ecological restoration plantings were highest in biodiversity and also accumulated most above-ground carbon. Therefore designing for biodiversity outcome also maximised carbon benefits per unit area. However the cost of establishment per hectare of land is much greater for restoration plantings than timber plantations. Consequently novel reforestation techniques and designs are required to both provide habitat for rainforest biota and sequester carbon at lower cost.
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Abstract
The emergence of carbon markets has provided a potential source of funding for tropical forest restoration which is also important as a tool for averting biodiversity losses and species extinctions that are currently likely if landscapes remain heavily-cleared. Bio-sequestration projects tend to adopt plantation designs that were developed for timber production by using fast-growing tree species at low diversity and density. By contrast many species of forestdependent fauna and flora have specific habitat requirements that are better provided by plantation designs for ecological restoration in which a high diversity of tree species and plant life-forms are planted at high density and diversity. It is therefore possible that carbon and biodiversity goals may need to be traded off within particular plantation designs. We tested for synergies or trade-offs in these goals by measuring both above-ground carbon and biodiversity as indicated by functional or species composition of plants birds reptiles and epigaeic beetles in 20 young 10-20 year plantations of three types: monoculture timber five sites mixed-species timber five sites and ecological restoration 10 sites in a rainforest landscape of north-eastern Australia. Ecological restoration plantings were highest in biodiversity and also accumulated most above-ground carbon. Therefore designing for biodiversity outcome also maximised carbon benefits per unit area. However the cost of establishment per hectare of land is much greater for restoration plantings than timber plantations. Consequently novel reforestation techniques and designs are required to both provide habitat for rainforest biota and sequester carbon at lower cost.
Additional Metadata
| Item Type: | Proceedings Paper |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | 7 ref. QH 541.5 R27 I61 2011 |
| AGROVOC Term: | Biodiversity |
| AGROVOC Term: | Plantations |
| AGROVOC Term: | Carbon |
| AGROVOC Term: | Tropical forests |
| AGROVOC Term: | Malaysia |
| Geographical Term: | MALAYSIA |
| Depositing User: | Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim |
| Last Modified: | 24 Apr 2025 05:14 |
| URI: | http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/11578 |
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