The vital role tropical forests play in the globe’s atmospheric carbon dioxide balance are underlined in a new study that reveals their massive carbon uptake. The study, into Africa’s tropical forests, estimates that almost a fifth of the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere each year from the burning of fossil fuels is absorbed by tropical rainforest in countries like Indonesia, Brazil and the African Congo.

Human-related greenhouse gas emissions are said by scientists to be increasing the carbon balance in the atmosphere and causing the planet to slowly warm up. Oceans and land vegetation are known to absorb great amounts of carbon from the air, and are key to attempts to unwind the atmospheric carbon build up.

The study findings suggest about half of all the carbon absorbed in land sinks is accounted for by tropical forests, equivalent to about 18 per cent of fossil fuel emissions.

The results underscore the importance of halting high rates of tropical forest clearing that is occurring in these regions in the fight to prevent dangerous climate change. They also highlight the economic value of rainforest preservation efforts, says study co-author, Lee White, also Chief Climate Change Scientist for the African nation of Gabon.
 
“The removal of nearly five billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by intact tropical forests, based on realistic prices for a tonne of carbon, should be valued at around $18.3 billion (€14.5 bn) per year. This is a compelling argument for conserving tropical forests,” White said.

Currently, a financial market mechanism to finance forest preservation is being considered for inclusion in the next global climate treaty. Dubbed REDD, it would see payments from the developed world made to tropical developing countries and their forest communities to protect their forests.

The study should help the REDD cause, helping to further quantify the carbon uptake of rainforests and underscoring the need for their protection. The study was led by Simon Lewis from the University of Leeds.

Jakarta Post 25/02/09