PDF BryanJenvmgmt.pdf | Request a copy Full text restricted Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.

Abstract

Reduction of carbon emissions from tropical deforestation and forest degradation is being considered
a cost-effective way of mitigating the impacts of global warming. If such reductions are to be implemented,
accurate and repeatable measurements of forest cover change and biomass will be required. In
Papua New Guinea (PNG), which has one of the world’s largest remaining areas of tropical forest, we
used the best available data to estimate rainforest carbon stocks, and emissions from deforestation and
degradation. We collated all available PNG field measurements which could be used to estimate carbon
stocks in logged and unlogged forest. We extrapolated these plot-level estimates across the forested
landscape using high-resolution forest mapping. We found the best estimate of forest carbon stocks
contained in logged and unlogged forest in 2002 to be 4770 Mt (13%). Our best estimate of gross forest
carbon released through deforestation and degradation between 1972 and 2002 was 1178 Mt (18%). By
applying a long-term forest change model, we estimated that the carbon loss resulting from deforestation
and degradation in 2001 was 53 Mt (18%), rising from 24 Mt (15%) in 1972. Forty-one percent of
2001 emissions resulted from logging, rising from 21% in 1972. Reducing emissions from logging is
therefore a priority for PNG. The large uncertainty in our estimates of carbon stocks and fluxes is
primarily due to the dearth of field measurements in both logged and unlogged forest, and the lack of
PNG logging damage studies. Research priorities for PNG to increase the accuracy of forest carbon stock
assessments are the collection of field measurements in unlogged forest and more spatially explicit
logging damage studies.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Bryan, JE and Shearman, P and Ash, J and Kirkpatrick, JB
Keywords:	Tropical carbon emissions Deforestation Degradation Logging Papua New Guinea
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Environmental Management
ISSN:	0301-4797
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.12.006
Additional Information:	The definitive version is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page