La biodiversità forestale nel contesto internazionale del programma REDD+ per la riduzione della deforestazione e del degrado forestale nei paesi in via di sviluppo: solo un co-benefit?
Author(s)
Vespertino, Dario
Date Issued
April 10, 2017
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) programme for Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) was designed to promote forest conservation and sustainable forest management while enhancing forest carbon stocks in developing countries with the final aim of mitigating climate change impacts. This programme is now ready for full implementation. Nevertheless, there are still concerns regarding the way in which forest biodiversity is included in the REDD+ methodological framework, as well as the risks associated to a REDD+ programme focused just on carbon. Many studies have investigated, both, the impact of REDD+ activities on biodiversity, as well as, how REDD+ activities can enhance biodiversity co-benefits. However, only few studies have teased apart the relative importance of forest structural and compositional biodiversity, for the productivity, and very few studies exists regarding (biodiversity-rich) tropical forests. The overall aim of this thesis is to explore whether UNFCCC REDD+ decisions are taking due account of the mitigation contribution of forest biodiversity throughout the REDD+ design, as well as to investigate whether forest biodiversity matters for carbon storage, therefore is instrumental for achieving REDD+ long-term goals. Ultimate goal is to propose a set of recommendations on how the REDD+ implementation could take into account biodiversity considerations for better incentivising its contribution in achieving the main REDD+ mitigation goals. The work consists of two sections: I) a deep review of UNFCCC REDD+ decisions and analysis of possible environmental risks related to a not adequate enough consideration of forest biodiversity throughout REDD+ implementation, II) a case study in the tropical forests of Ghana exploring the relationships between biodiversity and forest carbon sequestration.
The results of the review revealed that biodiversity is seen only as desirable but not instrumental for achieving the mitigation goals of REDD+. Forest biodiversity in the REDD+ methodological framework defined by the UNFCCC REDD+ decisions is treated as a co-benefit and/or non-carbon benefit, so it is not regarded as functionally tied to REDD+ mitigation goal. The review detected the following four main risks related to the implementation of REDD+ activities: i) a likely conversion of natural forests into plantations if country definition of forests does not identify proper distinction between natural forests and other forest types; ii) possible degradation of natural forests if the activities related to the sustainable management of forests are not clearly defined; iii) activities aiming at enhancing forest carbon stocks, could incentivise the creation of forests plantations, rather than the restoration of degraded forests; iv) implications of forest definition in the construction of a forest reference level for REDD+.
The goal of the case study was to explore the effects of tree diversity and species richness (using the Shannon and Menhinick indices) and of the combination of structural and taxonomic
attributes (measured by the Complexity index) on above ground forest carbon stocks, using forest inventory data of 80 plots distributed among primary forest, selectively logged natural forests and forest plantations, located in south-western Ghana, in the protected areas of Ankasa and Bia and in Jomoro district. Overall, the results indicated that in all forest categories the Complexity index was significantly and positively related to carbon stocks (Pearson's r range 0.52-0.98). Moreover, the results of the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated that there were significant differences between primary forest and forest plantations regarding, both, species diversity and richness, as well as, carbon stocks. Findings suggest that the simplified vertical structure and composition of forest plantations can significantly reduce the average value of the carbon stock (55 t ha-1) in comparison to observed primary forests under similar environmental conditions (190 t ha-1). Conversely, selective logging led to a significant reduction in species diversity and richness, as well as, in structural complexity, but did not cause a significant decline in carbon storage, although carbon stock in selectively logged forests is on average 40% lower than the amount observed in primary forests under similar environmental conditions.
In conclusion, findings from the Ghana case study indicate that forest biodiversity has an independent and positive effect on above ground carbon stocks, with forest complexity having the strongest effect compared to tree species diversity and richness. Biodiversity conservation should, hence, be regarded as a key component of the REDD+ mechanism. Due to the likely positive contribution to long-term carbon storage, biodiversity considerations should be better incorporated into the REDD+ implementation, especially now that REDD+ is starting to be fully implemented also at National scale, through specific financing Institutions, such as the Green Climate Fund in a key role and ready to deliver third phase result-based payments.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Ecologia forestale
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