Forests are an important part of the biological carbon cycle as they act as a reservoir for atmospheric carbon. Through the process of photosynthesis, forests absorb CO2, water and sunlight to form carbohydrates. The carbon becomes locked within the plant’s biomass for the life of the plant and then eventually becomes organic matter and soil components.
Under component 1 of the project, science-based baseline or reference positions for a Carbon Stock Monitoring System will be developed. This involves:
• Developing a protocol for measuring and monitoring carbon stocks.
• Establishing a baseline for existing carbon sequestration in the watershed management units.
• Working with partnering agencies (Forestry Department and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)) to reforest some 150 hectares of crown lands and to introduce agro-forestry on another 370 hectares of land belonging to small farmers and large private land owners. In addition, the RADA are actively teaching farmers best land husbandry and climate smart agriculture and facilitating on farm implementation of these methods.
• Assessing the impact that these interventions (reforestation & climate smart agriculture) are having on current and future CO2 emissions within the project site.
• Training (theory and practical field based experiences) key personnel involved in watershed management, how to measure and monitor carbon stocks.
The kinds of carbon to be measured are:
• Aboveground biomass
• Belowground biomass
• Downed wood; and
• Litter and soil carbon
This data will create the scientific framework for Jamaica to engage in the global carbon sequestration discussion. A win for Jamrock’s climate resilience and the world’s climate action.
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