Carbon sequestration and trace gas emissions in slash-and-burn and alternative land uses in the humid tropics

Abstract

Alternatives to Slash-and-Burn Programme (ASB) were to determine those land-use systems that sequester more carbon and reduce trace gas emissions. The research consisted of three activities:1. Collect strategic information on changes in carbon stocks and land use, 2. Develop a database on trace gas fluxes from different land-use systems, and 3. Assess land rehabilitation techniques for increasing carbon sequestration. These activities were conducted through a collaborative effort involving numerous international and national partners. Research at the benchmark sites was done by EMBRAPA-Acre, EMBRAPA- Rondônia, CENA and ICRAF- Perú in Brazil; IRAD in Cameroon; and CRIFC-AARD, ICRAF, BIOTROP-GCTE Impact Centre Southeast Asia, and University of Brawijaya in Indonesia. In addition, ICRAF and INIA in Perú conducted crucial research on trace gas emissions. Modeling activities were led by Colorado State University. TSBF led the Climate Change Working Group and assisted with the design of standardized protocols, training, field measurements and the global synthesis.