IDENTIFYING CARBON STORAGE POTENTIAL IN THE GBMWHA

A Masters project conducted via the University of New South Wales

PROJECT DETAILS

Masters Student: Floret Parker

Supervisors: Dr Rosalie Chapple and Dr John Merson

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project reviewed methodologies for measuring carbon storage in forested ecosystems, to explore the role that ecosystems play in carbon sequestration, and to propose how valuation for these storage services can be supported through legislative, economic, and policy frameworks. The importance of carbon as a greenhouse gas (GHG) has led to increasing interest in using terrestrial ecosystems to sequester anthropogenic emissions. The ability of these systems to do so is limited, especially when degradation or destruction threatens ecosystem integrity. Measuring the carbon stock of ecosystems helps to determine which areas are better at storing carbon, with estimates obtained through modelling of vegetation data acquired from the field. Protecting carbon stores often aligns with strategies to conserve biodiversity, as complex, resilient habitats are less likely to succumb to natural or anthropogenic disturbance.

This information was then applied to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area (GBMWHA).

This project explored the potential of carbon storage in the GBMWHA through a review of the literature surrounding climate change, carbon storage, the measurement of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems, the factors of the GBMWHA that may impact its carbon storage, and management strategies for maximising carbon storage.

Recommendations for the estimation and use of carbon values in the GBMWHA were made, based on attributes and limitations of the Area’s ecological, geographical, economic, and political settings. These recommendations include conserving biodiversity, enhancing knowledge in climate change and fire management, and encouraging legal and financial frameworks to enable carbon storage to fulfil its potential as a management tool. Finally, keeping in mind the importance of emissions reduction in addition to mitigation is highlighted by ecosystems’ limited capacity to absorb carbon.

The final report results from a review of the literature surrounding climate change, carbon storage in forests, the role of protected areas and their management in fulfilling carbon storage potential, and the GBMWHA.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing concentrations CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere threatens to upset natural, physical, and human systems, and increasing attention is being paid to how existing emissions can be absorbed by ecosystems. Complex, global frameworks such as the UNFCCC and its REDD Programme have arisen to attempt to encourage this strategy. Storing carbon in terrestrial ecosystems raises numerous, complex dilemmas ranging from purely technical hurdles to ethical, social and economic problems. However, promising new technologies and extensive databases could alleviate technical problems, while good governance may address social, political, and economic concerns.

The GBMWHA world heritage values revolve around biodiversity. However, managers must face a complex web of cultural, economic, land tenure, and risk control factors with increasingly tightly stretched pools of resources. Adding carbon values to this mix requires additional training and planning, although it has become clear that carbon values and other values such as biodiversity can mutually benefit from similar management actions. The additional value that carbon storage can add to the GBMWHA will depend largely on the institutions created to support carbon markets. At the same time, other sustainable uses of the GBMWHA, such as recognising the role it plays in water catchment health, could also be considered as part of the benefits package that the GBMWHA provides to the local, regional, and national population.

With these points in mind, the final report concludes with several recommendations in pushing forward any attempt to value the carbon stored in the GBMWHA. Protecting biodiversity, increasing knowledge and pushing for legislative and economic support are all critical components of creating carbon accounting for the area. Most importantly, realising the finite ability of terrestrial ecosystems to mitigate GHG emissions should highlight the primary importance of continuing efforts to lower emissions.

PUBLICATIONS

2011. Final report by Floret Parker. Identifying carbon storage potential in the GBMWHA.