Carbon Sequestration Potential of Forest Invasive Species: A Case Study with Acacia dealbata Link

Abstract

Biological invasions are of complex solution, consuming resources for their control and eradication. However, in many of the documented processes that are available, this is an attempt with no solution in sight. The possibility of increasing the pressure over these species while creating value chains has been presented as a method for ensuring the sustainability of their control and eradication processes. In the case of invasive forest species in Portugal, such as Acacia dealbata Link, this control is becoming increasingly important. In addition to the negative impacts on biodiversity, the proliferation of this species has economic implications due to its competition with forest production species such as Pinus pinaster Aiton and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Another critical aspect to be considered is the increase of the risk of rural fires, which is enhanced by the accumulation of low-value biomass around production forests. In this work, the possibility of using this species as a vehicle for the capture and sequestration of carbon in the medium and long-term was evaluated from a perspective of providing ecosystem services as a measure to mitigate climate change. However, due to its highly heliophilous character, it was found that the growth capacity of this species is rapidly conditioned by the position of each tree within a stand, not being able to maintain that capacity in the medium and long term.

Species Diversity, Growing Stock Variables and Carbon Mitigation Potential in the Phytocoenosis of Monotheca buxifolia Forests along Altitudinal Gradient across Pakistan

“…The distribution pattern of tree species in Monotheca phytocoenosis can be strongly linked with the findings of Khan et al [36] and Ali et al [37]. Exotic species such as E. globulus, B. papyrifera, and A. altissima are introduced by locals and have negative ecological consequences for native species [55]. Removal of the invasive plants is highly recommended from the natural population for successful forest resource management [36].…”

Low Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) Energy Crops to Bioenergy and Biofuels—A Review

“…In Portugal, the main species for producing wood pellets for burn-in boilers is the Pinus pinaster and for this cause, it is important to compare this type of material with other species like acacia-mimosa for the quantity of material that can be found in the territory [262]. It can serve as a carbon reservoir because it is a fast-growing species, it also rapidly removes the carbon present in the atmosphere through CO 2 , mitigating climate change, thus confirming its potential for the production of material with high carbon content [310] such as biochar that can be obtained through the pyrolysis process at 450 • C for 8 h [311].…”

Valorisation Potential of Invasive Acacia dealbata, A. longifolia and A. melanoxylon from Land Clearings

“…For this reason, there have been several studies focusing on the potential of Acacia spp. biomass for various applications [ 3 , 4 ], or the use of these species for the capture and sequestration of carbon [ 5 ], while reducing their impact on wildfires in Portugal [ 6 ].…”