LULUCF values under the Kyoto Protocol : background document in preparation of the National Inventory Report 2011 (reporting year 2009)

This report collects all background information that is used for the 2011 submission under the Kyoto Protocol (KP) for the Netherlands. It includes the full text of the National Inventory Report (NIR)-II for LULUCF, as well as a description of the table-bytable methodologies, choices and motivations. In 2009 afforestation and reforestation activities produced a sink of 546.68 Gg CO2 equivalents while deforestation caused an emission of 780,45 Gg CO2 equivalents. These values were based on changes in above- and belowground biomass, dead wood, litter and soil (mineral as well as organic), and agricultural lime application on deforested areas. The values for 2008 were recalculated from last year, and the recalculation included changes due to: (i) This was the first year emissions from mineral and organic soils were reported for Afforestation, Reforestation, and Deforestation (ARD). (ii) An error in harvested wood was corrected, and (iii) The calculation of dead wood was improved. Some minor gaps remain to be solved in the coming year(s), especially for the estimation of uncertainty of all reported values

Effects of light and soil flooding on the growth and photosynthesis of ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) seedlings in Malaysia

We studied the ecophysiology of ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) seedlings in an experimental set up at the Forest Research Centre in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Ramin seedlings were grown on flooded and drained peat soil under 100, 76, 46 and 23% sunlight, thus simulating effects of different light conditions (canopy gap size) and drainage that occur in natural ramin populations. Seedling growth was highest in partial sunlight (76%) and reduced with reducing light levels. Aboveground productivity and fine root development were significantly higher in seedlings grown on flooded soil compared with those on drained soil. In contrast, investment in coarse root biomass was significantly higher in seedlings grown on drained soil. It appeared that the aboveground growth benefits in flooded conditions were the result of more advantageous conditions for allocation of carbon to leaves, thus enhancing overall relative growth rates through higher light interception rates despite lower photosynthetic capacity. The results of this experiment suggested that drainage of peat swamp forests would seriously hamper natural regeneration of ramin by limiting the growth of seedlings. It is also suggested that selective logging operations which produce medium-size canopy gaps improve ramin regeneration in hydrologically undisturbed mixed swamp forest

Meta-analysis of the effect of global warming on local species richness

We carried out a systematic review of global and regional modelling studies in which shifts in species distributions under climate change were modelled. These studies included a large range of species groups and biomes worldwide. Based on the model results we calculated the fraction of species that would remain at a locality in response to projected climate change and related this to the global mean temperature increase (GMTI) that was associated with projected climate change. Out of 207 articles meeting our search terms used in Web of Science, 21 studies met our selection criteria and were included. This resulted in 239 data points of combinations of global mean temperature increase and effect on local species richness across different species groups and biomes. Based on this we carried out a meta-analysis to investi¬gate the relation between changes in global mean tem-perature increase and the fraction of remaining plant and vertebrate species at a geographic location. The results showed that global mean temperature increases of more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels significantly affect local species richness. Both plants and vertebrate species showed a strong decline in the fraction remaining species with increasing temperature. The effect impacts seemed to be strongest in warm biomes and tended to be smaller in cool biomes. The resulting meta-model can be used to calculate the fraction of remaining species under different climate change scenarios

Review of carbon flux estimates and other greenhouse gas emissions from oil palm cultivation on Tropical peatlands - Identifying the gaps in Knowledge

This report provides an independent review that clarifies current confusion on carbon dioxide emissions resulting from oil palm cultivation on tropical peatlands in Malaysia, that was brought about by two recent publications. It describes the processes of carbon flow in forests, degraded forests and oil palm plantations on peat and depicts uncertainties in existing datasets. The report identifies the gaps of knowledge and offers recommendations for further research to be commissioned by the Joint Committee on Carbon Emissions (JCCE), Malaysia-The Netherland

Phytosanitary risks of wood chips

This report describes the potential risks of spreading harmful pests and diseases by wood chips. Wood chipping is used as a measure against spread of certain harmful insects in wood, but is not effective to prevent spread of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. Here additional measures like composting and heating are necessary. Also in the biofuel chain infestations and spread of diseases are possible. For both the biofuel and phytosanitary wood chains the potential risks are described

LULUCF values under the Kyoto Protocol : background document in preparation of the National Inventory Report 2011 (reporting year 2009)

This report collects all background information that is used for the 2011 submission under the Kyoto Protocol (KP) for the Netherlands. It includes the full text of the National Inventory Report (NIR)-II for LULUCF, as well as a description of the table-bytable methodologies, choices and motivations. In 2009 afforestation and reforestation activities produced a sink of 546.68 Gg CO2 equivalents while deforestation caused an emission of 780,45 Gg CO2 equivalents. These values were based on changes in above- and belowground biomass, dead wood, litter and soil (mineral as well as organic), and agricultural lime application on deforested areas. The values for 2008 were recalculated from last year, and the recalculation included changes due to: (i) This was the first year emissions from mineral and organic soils were reported for Afforestation, Reforestation, and Deforestation (ARD). (ii) An error in harvested wood was corrected, and (iii) The calculation of dead wood was improved. Some minor gaps remain to be solved in the coming year(s), especially for the estimation of uncertainty of all reported values

Silviculture enhances the recovery of overexploited mahogany Swietenia macrophylla

Big leaf mahogany Swietenia macrophylla is the most valuable timber species in the tropics but its future as a commercial timber species is at risk. This study evaluates whether recovery of overexploited mahogany populations is enhanced by actively managing the species and its surrounding forest. We assessed the effect of four different management interventions that varied in their intensities of harvesting and silvicultural treatments. We tested the hypothesis that intensive forest management stimulates population growth rates. Data were gathered over a 4-year period in the plots (326 ha) of the Long Term Silvicultural Research Program in Bolivia. Plants > 1·3 m tall were identified and monitored in the plots, while seedlings and saplings ( 70 cm diameter at 1·3 m height) that produce large numbers of seedlings. Harvesting simulations indicate that mahogany populations can only be sustainably harvested by increasing the cutting cycle length, reducing harvesting intensity and by maintaining optimal growing conditions. Synthesis and applications. Mahogany is the most valuable timber species in the tropics, and its range has dramatically decreased mostly due to commercial harvesting. The results of simulation modelling based on field and experimental data suggest that overexploited populations are recovering and that sustainable harvesting will be possible in the future when cutting cycle length is increased, harvesting intensity is reduced and silvicultural treatments are applied regularly throughout the cutting cycl