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. 2014 Dec 23;9(12):e115234.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115234. eCollection 2014.

Managing carbon sinks in rubber (Hevea brasilensis) plantation by changing rotation length in SW China

Syed Moazzam Nizami  1 , Zhang Yiping  2 , Sha Liqing  2 , Wei Zhao  3 , Xiang Zhang  3
Affiliations

Managing carbon sinks in rubber (Hevea brasilensis) plantation by changing rotation length in SW China

Syed Moazzam Nizami et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Extension of the rotation length in forest management has been highlighted in Article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol to help the countries in their commitments for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. CO2FIX Model Ver.3.2 was used to examine the dynamics of carbon stocks (C stocks) in a rubber plantation in South Western China with the changing rotation lengths. To estimate the efficiency of increasing the rotation length as an Article 3.4 activity, study predicted that the rubber production and C stocks of the ecosystem increased with the increasing rotation (25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years). While comparing the pace of growth both in economical (rubber production) and ecological (C stocks) terms in each rotation, 40 years rotation length showed maximum production and C stocks. After elongation of 40 year rotation to four consecutive cycles, it was concluded that the total C stocks of the ecosystem were 186.65 Mg ha(-1). The longer rotation lengths showed comparatively increased C stocks in below ground C stock after consecutive four rotations. The pace of C input (Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1)) and rubber production indicated that 40 years rotation is best suited for rubber plantation. The study has developed carbon mitigation based on four rotation scenarios. The possible stimulated increase in C stocks of the entire ecosystem after consecutive long rotations indicated that the emphasis must be paid on deciding the rotation of rubber plantation in SW China for reporting under article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Total C stocks (MgC ha−1) at different rotation lengths (Year).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Rate of C input (Mg C ha−1 yr−1) in total C stock at different rotation lengths.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Simulation of C stocks (Total C stocks, above and below ground C stocks) for consecutive four cycles at different rotation lengths in Rubber Plantation.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Regression Analysis of Rotation Lengths (Years) and Rubber Production (Mg ha−1 yr−1).
Figure 5
Figure 5. Comparison of income (*1000 USD Mg−1) and rubber production (Mg ha−1) at different rotation (1USD  = 6.13CYN).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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