LULUCF and REDD 2016

Question 1

Forests: CO2 Source and Sink

Answer 1

Forests are carbon sources and sinks

• Natural fluctuations
• Sink: anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases

Question 2

Deforestation

Answer 2

• mostly conversion of forests to agriculture which results in immediate release of CO2
• At 13 million ha per year, majority in developing countries, tropical climates

Question 3

Effects of Climate Change on Forests

Answer 3

• Increased vulnerability (insect outbreaks, fire, drought, storms)
• Can vary by region (atmospheric CO2 may increase productivity in some regions (e.g., NE) but not where water is limited (e.g., SW)

Question 4

How might you address deforestation?

Answer 4

• services provided (carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation)
• programs (LULUCF and REDD)
• policies to prevent
• incentives