Targeted carbon conservation at national scales with high-resolution monitoring

Gregory P. Asner, David E. Knapp, Roberta E. Martin, Raul Tupayachi, Christopher B. Anderson, Joseph Mascaro, Felipe Sinca, K. Dana Chadwick, Mark Higgins, William Farfan, William Llactayo, Miles R. Silman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

Terrestrial carbon conservation can provide critical environmental, social, and climate benefits. Yet, the geographically complex mosaic of threats to, and opportunities for, conserving carbon in landscapes remain largely unresolved at national scales. Using a new high-resolution carbon mapping approach applied to Perú, a megadiverse country undergoing rapid land use change, we found that at least 0.8 Pg of aboveground carbon stocks are at imminent risk of emission from land use activities. Map-based information on the natural controls over carbon density, as well as current ecosystem threats and protections, revealed three biogeographically explicit strategies that fully offset forthcoming land-use emissions. High-resolution carbon mapping affords targeted interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in rapidly developing tropical nations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E5016-E5022
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume111
Issue number47
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 25 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carbon sequestration
  • Deforestation
  • Forest degradation
  • Light detection and ranging
  • REDD+

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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