expanding the potential scope of concepts by including forest degradation and acknowledging the importance of conservation, the sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD plus) 15 . Methodological guidance is requested by developing country parties for activities relating to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (Decision 4/CP.15) 15 in order to establish robust and transparent na-
IntroductionDeforestation in the tropics will remain a major source of carbon emissions in the coming decades 1 . International discussion has focused on mechanisms providing economic incentives for reducing CO 2 emissions from deforestation in developing countries (REDD) 14 and JARQ 46 (2), 187 -192 (2012)
AbstractAs a feasibility study for applying a simplified method to estimate CO 2 emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in tropical forests, we estimated the nationwide forest tree biomass carbon stock using data from 100 permanent sampling plots (PSPs) set by the Forestry Administration, Cambodia in seasonal forests in Cambodia. Averaged tree carbon stocks and SE-Standard error were at 158.8 ± 7.3 Mg C ha -1 for evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and 55.2 ± 6.9 Mg C ha -1 for deciduous forests in 1998 (the first census) and for the second census in 2000-2001, 163.8 ± 7.8 Mg C ha -1 and 56.2 ± 6.7 Mg C ha -1 , respectively. The averaged tree biomass carbon stock differed significantly between the two forest types. Using the forest cover for 2006 and the averaged carbon stock for 2000-2001, the national-level forest tree carbon stock in the early to mid-2000s was estimated at 824.2 ± 39.2 Tg C for evergreen forests and 263.9 ± 31.3 Tg C for deciduous forests, and 1,088.1 ± 50.2 Tg C in total. By repeating this calculation for all forest areas by remote sensing and averaged tree carbon stock via ground-based measurement with PSPs, we could monitor the total tree carbon stock in nationwide forests in Cambodia. We also presented the possible reasons for uncertainty related to the present tree biomass carbon stock of forests and recommendations in order to improve the accuracy of the carbon stock using PSP systems in Cambodia.
Carbon emissions from selectively logged forests in the tropics are strongly affected by logging practices. Although tropical forests are mainly managed under the concession system, only a handful of studies were done to assess the impact of logging practices on emission reductions and future timber supply. In this report, carbon stocks, timber supply, and carbon emission reductions under conventional logging (CVL), reduced-impact logging (RIL), and RIL with special silvicultural treatments (RIL+) were assessed in 3.4 million ha of concession forests for a 55-year project time span. Carbon emissions under a 25-year CVL practiced in Cambodia were estimated at 12.4 TgCO 2 year −1 for 55 years. We then tested four cutting cycles of selective logging and our results suggest that a 45-year selective cutting cycle was appropriate for managing concession forests in Cambodia in terms of maintaining commercial timber supply and reducing carbon emissions. By considering RIL or RIL+ as a new logging practice for improving forest management in the tropics, carbon credits from selective logging in Cambodia were estimated at 6.2-7.9 TgCO 2 or about $31.0-39.5 million annually if carbon is priced at $5. It is concluded that RIL or RIL+ should be adopted for "sustainable management of forests" element of the REDD+ scheme.
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