Restoration strategies for increasing carbon stocks and combating species losses on degraded lands
Abstract
Based on the results of WP 1 and WP 2, concrete activities to increase the resilience of forests (e.g. increase species diversity in early successional monospecific forests) will be developed for Government owned forests and implementation will be started. While the headwaters in Bhutan are sparsely populated by herder communities, lower areas are showing signs of degradation due to natural disasters and anthropogenic factors like changes in land use, mining, road construction, and growing population pressure. Particularly road construction activities are currently very intensive and can lead to losses of above- and belowground carbon through erosion along the new road cuts. Conditions of these watersheds will be assessed and carbon losses will be quantified. The potential of native bamboo species for slope stabilization and increase of carbon sequestration on such land will be explored. The potential of native species like bamboos for climate change adaptation and ecosystem restoration, protection against erosion and buildup of carbon storage will be characterized in this project. Management strategies and activities for increasing carbon stocks, particularly on degraded lands will be developed using innovative participative tools. The carbon stocks are quantified in WP1. Stakeholder involvement is a crucial factor for the success of restoration strategies. This work package will involve land users in decision making in terms of restoration needs, the choice of species and the benefit sharing mechanisms. A pro-poor orientation will avoid over-representation of local elites. The strong focus on capacity building will guarantee long term sustainability of inputs and ownership of knowledge and activities.
Publikationen
Project staff
Hubert Hasenauer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. DDr.h.c. Hubert Hasenauer
hubert.hasenauer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91301, 91311
BOKU Project Leader
15.06.2013 - 30.12.2017