Global economic potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from mangrove loss.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 109(36): 14369-74, 2012 Sep 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22847435
ABSTRACT
Mangroves are among the most threatened and rapidly disappearing natural environments worldwide. In addition to supporting a wide range of other ecological and economic functions, mangroves store considerable carbon. Here, we consider the global economic potential for protecting mangroves based exclusively on their carbon. We develop unique high-resolution global estimates (5' grid, about 9 × 9 km) of the projected carbon emissions from mangrove loss and the cost of avoiding the emissions. Using these spatial estimates, we derive global and regional supply curves (marginal cost curves) for avoided emissions. Under a broad range of assumptions, we find that the majority of potential emissions from mangroves could be avoided at less than $10 per ton of CO(2). Given the recent range of market price for carbon offsets and the cost of reducing emissions from other sources, this finding suggests that protecting mangroves for their carbon is an economically viable proposition. Political-economy considerations related to the ability of doing business in developing countries, however, can severely limit the supply of offsets and increases their price per ton. We also find that although a carbon-focused conservation strategy does not automatically target areas most valuable for biodiversity, implementing a biodiversity-focused strategy would only slightly increase the costs.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Dióxido de Carbono
/
Modelos Econômicos
/
Conservação dos Recursos Naturais
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Rhizophoraceae
/
Poluentes Atmosféricos
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Recuperação e Remediação Ambiental
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Aquecimento Global
Tipo de estudo:
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prognostic_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos