Trade-offs and synergies between carbon, forest diversity and forest products in Nepal community forests

Abstract

SUMMARYReducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, the sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (‘REDD+’) aims to improve local livelihoods and conserve plant diversity while limiting carbon emissions. Yet trade-offs and synergies that exist between supporting livelihoods, protecting plant diversity and maintaining forest ecosystem services are poorly documented. We used forest inventory data and community-group records to assess trade-offs and synergies between carbon, plant diversity and forest products in 19 community forests managed under REDD+ in Nepal. Trade-offs were prevalent for carbon, whereby community forests with relatively high carbon values had relatively low values for plant diversity or forest products provision, and vice versa. Synergies occurred between plant diversity and forest products provision (fuelwood and fodder), suggesting that forests with relatively high plant diversity values were also important for providing critical forest products to local communities. This study shows that conserving forests for carbon should not impinge greatly on the flow of forest resources to at least some local communities; however, promoting carbon storage will not necessarily protect plant diversity. These findings should help guide future REDD+ policy for community forests.

Effectiveness of community forest user groups (CFUGs) in responding to the 2015 earthquakes and COVID-19 in Nepal

“…As of May 2020, there are 22,266 CFUGs in Nepal managing 2.24 m ha (35% of total) of country's forest resources and directly benefiting 2.91 m households (about 33% of total) population of the country ( Pathak, 2020 ). These groups are expanding their capacity to deal with other environmental development and humanitarian domains with the focus on equity, justice, participation and sustainability ( P. Gentle & Thwaites, 2017 ; Poudyal et al, 2020 ; Rana, Thwaites, & Luck, 2017 ). They have developed local to national networks and sophisticated decision making and implementing mechanisms that mobilizes both the indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary practices of the state and development institutions ( Fig.…”

Effect of degraded land rehabilitation on carbon stocks and biodiversity in semi-arid region of Northern Ethiopia

“…Combating of land degradation is crucial to ensure the long-term productivity of semi-arid environments. In any environmental policy, an understanding of potential tradeoffs and interactions between carbon sequestration and biodiversity is essential (Witt et al 2011;Rana et al 2017;Reside et al 2017). Successful restoration includes improvement of land productivity, soil organic C stock, biodiversity and other ecosystem services (Mureithi et al 2014;Mekuria et al 2017;Reside et al 2017).…”

Evaluating incentive-based programs to support forest ecosystem services

“…In 19 Nepalese community forests, analysis of trade-offs between livelihoods, plant diversity and carbon values for REDD+ programmes reveals that forests with high carbon values have low plant diversities and low forest product values, but there are synergies between high forest product value (particularly firewood and fodder) and plant diversity (Rana et al . 2017). Because carbon will not reduce the flow of forest resources to some communities and will not protect plant diversity, an integrated forest management approach is required to conserve multiple ecosystem values and livelihoods.…”