kaysara khatun | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2024)

Bioenergy for Sustainable Development in Africa, 2011

Nature, 2014

Energy Policy, 2013

Conservation Letters, 2012

Climate Policy, 2013

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2013

ABSTRACT Ecological models have predicted shifts in forest biomes, yet there have been very few s... more ABSTRACT Ecological models have predicted shifts in forest biomes, yet there have been very few studies that have looked at the implications on carbon stocks due to these shifts. Carbon is closely correlated to biomass and constitutes an important characteristic of the forest ecosystem. It has implications for conservation and land use practices, especially for climate change mitigation strategies currently under discussion, such as the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). This study couples the Holdridge Life Zone (HLZ) classification with the ECHAM5 model, to evaluate the impacts of climate change using the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2, A1B and B1 for the Central American region. We utilize methodologies which combine biophysical variables with model output to assess the impacts on carbon stocks for two time periods, 2000 and 2100. Results show that overall the tropical category of the HLZ classification gains area as a consequence of one type of HLZ shifting to another forest type. In many cases the shifts lead to some categories of HLZ being lost in their entirety. Elevation-associated life zones are particularly vulnerable to future climatic changes. A strong point of our approach is that differences between disaggregate regional and aggregate country levels can be compared. We suggest that a critical focus of conservation and management efforts should be concentrated on where vulnerable biomes are at most risk, i.e., biomes that shift and/or reduce fall under the vulnerable category.

Environmental Science & Policy

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005) has classified a number of ecosystems good and se... more The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005) has classified a number of ecosystems good and services (EGS) provided by tropical forests, namely cultural, provisioning, regulatory and support services. The primary focus of this paper is to carry out an economic assessment by comparing the financial costs and returns of selected EGS, namely carbon and timber in the tropical forests of Central America. Timber is unusual from the other EGS provided by forests in that it competes with the other services, i.e. biodiversity, recreation and water services. Carbon storage is the non-timber value most often included in forest accounts and can be equated directly with timber available in terms of biomass content.The study provides a quantitative appraisal of the carbon and timber stocks and flows of tropical (primary) forests by evaluating them simultaneously using data from a number of sources. The provision of reliable and accurate estimates of the economic value of these services is crucial to plan adequate conservation policies that encourage the protection and sustainable management of tropical forests such as those under REDD+. Results indicate that the economic return for managing natural forests is influenced by timber and carbon prices as well as the discount rate applied. Timber on face value is the better land use option; however, there are many issues that need to be considered when valuing timber, especially regarding the management regimes. Revenues under REDD+ option would be higher if co-benefits, which include monies from the extraction of timber under Sustainable Forestry Management (SFM) are considered.► The main incentive for conservation is influenced by the carbon price path. ► The discount rates strongly influence the Present Value (PV) and the Net Present Value (NPV) for both carbon and timber. ► The analysis does not reflect the multiple revenue sources available from forests.► The protection and sustainable management of forests need to be considered as positive practices to avoid deforestation.

Forest Policy and Economics, 2010

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol allows Afforestation and ... more The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol allows Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R) projects as mitigation activities to offset the CO2 in the atmosphere whilst simultaneously seeking to ensure sustainable development for the host country. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified by the Government of India in August 2002 and one of India's objectives in acceding to the Protocol was to fulfil the prerequisites for implementation of projects under the CDM in accordance with national sustainable priorities. The objective of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of using large-scale forestry projects under the CDM in achieving its twin goals using Karnataka State as a case study. The Generalized Comprehensive Mitigation Assessment Process (GCOMAP) Model is used to observe the effect of varying carbon prices on the land available for A/R projects. The model is coupled with outputs from the Lund–Potsdam–Jena (LPJ) Dynamic Global Vegetation Model to incorporate the impacts of temperature rise due to climate change under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2, A1B and B1. With rising temperatures and CO2, vegetation productivity is increased under A2 and A1B scenarios and reduced under B1. Results indicate that higher carbon price paths produce higher gains in carbon credits and accelerate the rate at which available land hits maximum capacity thus acting as either an incentive or disincentive for landowners to commit their lands to forestry mitigation projects.

Climate and Development, 2010

The study looks at forestry policies in India in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol (KP) to asse... more The study looks at forestry policies in India in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol (KP) to assess the possibilities for synergy between them. It assesses how far existing national initiatives, namely the Joint Forest Management and the more recent Forest Rights Act, are able to contribute to the dual objectives of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Article 12 of the KP specifically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring sustainable development for the host country. The paper analyses policy documentation in conjunction with key informant interviews to assess perceptions of and attitudes towards the CDM. Analysis of the in-depth key informant interviews identifies that the main obstacles to the CDM in its aim to bring about sustainable development are the lack of suitable lands for afforestation and reforestation, and access to those lands and the resources they provide for rural communities dependent on them for their livelihoods. Results indicate that the CDM is not generally seen as a success story and is failing in both its stated objectives. The findings underscore the importance of looking beyond the monetary aspects by developing other incentives. A complementary approach to assessment and approaches lies at the heart of the success and integrity of the CDM.

Bioenergy for Sustainable Development in Africa, 2011

Nature, 2014

Energy Policy, 2013

Conservation Letters, 2012

Climate Policy, 2013

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2013

ABSTRACT Ecological models have predicted shifts in forest biomes, yet there have been very few s... more ABSTRACT Ecological models have predicted shifts in forest biomes, yet there have been very few studies that have looked at the implications on carbon stocks due to these shifts. Carbon is closely correlated to biomass and constitutes an important characteristic of the forest ecosystem. It has implications for conservation and land use practices, especially for climate change mitigation strategies currently under discussion, such as the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). This study couples the Holdridge Life Zone (HLZ) classification with the ECHAM5 model, to evaluate the impacts of climate change using the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2, A1B and B1 for the Central American region. We utilize methodologies which combine biophysical variables with model output to assess the impacts on carbon stocks for two time periods, 2000 and 2100. Results show that overall the tropical category of the HLZ classification gains area as a consequence of one type of HLZ shifting to another forest type. In many cases the shifts lead to some categories of HLZ being lost in their entirety. Elevation-associated life zones are particularly vulnerable to future climatic changes. A strong point of our approach is that differences between disaggregate regional and aggregate country levels can be compared. We suggest that a critical focus of conservation and management efforts should be concentrated on where vulnerable biomes are at most risk, i.e., biomes that shift and/or reduce fall under the vulnerable category.

Environmental Science & Policy

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005) has classified a number of ecosystems good and se... more The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005) has classified a number of ecosystems good and services (EGS) provided by tropical forests, namely cultural, provisioning, regulatory and support services. The primary focus of this paper is to carry out an economic assessment by comparing the financial costs and returns of selected EGS, namely carbon and timber in the tropical forests of Central America. Timber is unusual from the other EGS provided by forests in that it competes with the other services, i.e. biodiversity, recreation and water services. Carbon storage is the non-timber value most often included in forest accounts and can be equated directly with timber available in terms of biomass content.The study provides a quantitative appraisal of the carbon and timber stocks and flows of tropical (primary) forests by evaluating them simultaneously using data from a number of sources. The provision of reliable and accurate estimates of the economic value of these services is crucial to plan adequate conservation policies that encourage the protection and sustainable management of tropical forests such as those under REDD+. Results indicate that the economic return for managing natural forests is influenced by timber and carbon prices as well as the discount rate applied. Timber on face value is the better land use option; however, there are many issues that need to be considered when valuing timber, especially regarding the management regimes. Revenues under REDD+ option would be higher if co-benefits, which include monies from the extraction of timber under Sustainable Forestry Management (SFM) are considered.► The main incentive for conservation is influenced by the carbon price path. ► The discount rates strongly influence the Present Value (PV) and the Net Present Value (NPV) for both carbon and timber. ► The analysis does not reflect the multiple revenue sources available from forests.► The protection and sustainable management of forests need to be considered as positive practices to avoid deforestation.

Forest Policy and Economics, 2010

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol allows Afforestation and ... more The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol allows Afforestation and Reforestation (A/R) projects as mitigation activities to offset the CO2 in the atmosphere whilst simultaneously seeking to ensure sustainable development for the host country. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified by the Government of India in August 2002 and one of India's objectives in acceding to the Protocol was to fulfil the prerequisites for implementation of projects under the CDM in accordance with national sustainable priorities. The objective of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of using large-scale forestry projects under the CDM in achieving its twin goals using Karnataka State as a case study. The Generalized Comprehensive Mitigation Assessment Process (GCOMAP) Model is used to observe the effect of varying carbon prices on the land available for A/R projects. The model is coupled with outputs from the Lund–Potsdam–Jena (LPJ) Dynamic Global Vegetation Model to incorporate the impacts of temperature rise due to climate change under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2, A1B and B1. With rising temperatures and CO2, vegetation productivity is increased under A2 and A1B scenarios and reduced under B1. Results indicate that higher carbon price paths produce higher gains in carbon credits and accelerate the rate at which available land hits maximum capacity thus acting as either an incentive or disincentive for landowners to commit their lands to forestry mitigation projects.

Climate and Development, 2010

The study looks at forestry policies in India in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol (KP) to asse... more The study looks at forestry policies in India in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol (KP) to assess the possibilities for synergy between them. It assesses how far existing national initiatives, namely the Joint Forest Management and the more recent Forest Rights Act, are able to contribute to the dual objectives of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Article 12 of the KP specifically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring sustainable development for the host country. The paper analyses policy documentation in conjunction with key informant interviews to assess perceptions of and attitudes towards the CDM. Analysis of the in-depth key informant interviews identifies that the main obstacles to the CDM in its aim to bring about sustainable development are the lack of suitable lands for afforestation and reforestation, and access to those lands and the resources they provide for rural communities dependent on them for their livelihoods. Results indicate that the CDM is not generally seen as a success story and is failing in both its stated objectives. The findings underscore the importance of looking beyond the monetary aspects by developing other incentives. A complementary approach to assessment and approaches lies at the heart of the success and integrity of the CDM.