Study finds simple and cheap way to use forests to slow global climate change

Spending $1.50 per hectare to prune vines from the world's selectively logged forests could remove 800 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over 30 years, according to new research. Professor Jack (Francis) Putz of the University of the Sunshine Coast is so excited by the findings that he and nine international co-authors have called on all tropical countries – including Australia – to include this simple procedure in their national carbon policies. "If we are to scale natural climate solutions at the pace necessary to avoid global climate catastrophe, we need effective, low-cost, ruthless practices that can be implemented immediately," said the recently joined professor of ecology and forest management. UniSC to continue its work. “This research shows why we should cut lianas (creepy vines) and suggests how government and private landowners can do this to achieve environmental and economic benefits through the timber industry. "Widespread acceptance of liana removal is more likely if it is incorporated into national carbon policy frameworks." Professor Putz was the lead author of a paper published on the research in areas of ecology and forest management with his predecessor, the University of Florida, as well as The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, Eastwood Forests in the United States, and Science for Sustainability in Central America. "Vineas are great in some ways, but they compete with trees and other vegetation for sunlight," he said. "Liana infestation affects a quarter of the world's one billion hectares of selectively logged forests, primarily in the tropics, and is intensifying as a result of human intervention and climate change. “Our research found that cutting lianas from a minimum number of harvestable trees – just five trees per hectare – would increase carbon sequestration and contribute to timber yields to improve local livelihoods. “Forest managers with access to voluntary carbon markets could also diversify their income. “With processing costs estimated at less than $1 per ton of CO₂ it is an attractive opportunity for countries to meet their climate action targets and – given current carbon market prices of USD 10-20 per ton of CO₂ – to increase the economic potential of selectively harvested forests." He said equal treatment could also benefit biodiversity in non-logging forests. (University of Sunshine Coast, PHYSORG)