Carbon sequestration in coniferous forest in the Sierra Tarahumara in Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract

Since the Kyoto Protocol was launched in 1997 forests are being assessed as potential carbon sinks with a growing interest in forest carbon sequestration as an environmental service. A fair deal of research has been carried out in Mexico since the mid 90’s. However, little is known about the coniferous forest of Northern Mexico under its ecological, socioeconomic and management conditions. In this study, the potential for carbon sequestration was first explored in the Chihuahua State by simulation in the LUCS model. The study area is located in the central part of the Sierra Tarahumara, with a history of heavy logging in the previous century. The vegetation is a ponderosa pine forest in association with oak (Quercus spp). The predominant pine species are Pinus arizonica y Pinus durangensis. The simulation was done independently in three ejidos: El Retiro y Gumeachi, El Ranchito and Bocoyna. The model was fed with technical and socioeconomic data from the ejidos management programs, community surveys, key informants and literature. A low potential for carbon sequestration was found through the land use change by the afforestation and forestation activities. This was attributed to a limited quality and quantity of suitable land. The long term trend of the additionality and its persistence was positively associated to the initial condition of the ejidos, where the proportion of mature forest was an important forest structure component.