El balance de carbono y su valor económico en un bosque subhúmedo estacional de Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Abstract

The carbon content and time-dependent carbon balance functions of a sub-humid forest at Lomerio, Santa Cruz, Bolivia (21 000 Has.) are estimated under two different management scenarios: no logging (protection) and low-impact logging. Five methods were used to estimate the value of the carbon sequestered: 1) mean international market value, 2) market value paid in Bolivia, 3) mean hectare cost when the forest is under conservation, 4) opportunity cost for timber not harvested, and 5) combination of the criteria 3 and 4. The biomass expansion factor for the 12 species studied varied between 1.20 and 3.33 with a mean value of 2.4. This is higher than values reported for tropical forests in general, but in the range of values reported for open forests. The mean carbon content of the 12 species studied was 43 percent. The economic carbon balance of the forest was simulated for a period of 35 years. The mean carbon pool of the forest was 1.5 Tg C, and the mean per hectare carbon pool was 68 Mg C. The economic returns from forest management at Lomerio increased considerably when the value of the carbon sequestered was taken into account.