Influence of Biophysical and Anthropogenic Variables on the Carbon Stock Potential in Restorable Areas

• Grant number: 24/07048-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Nature Conservation
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Guilherme Molin
• Grantee: Giovanna de Andrade Ferreira
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11940-0 - Restoration of native vegetation in the Atlantic Forest through the strategic combination of mandatory measures and voluntary commitments - CCD-EMA, AP.CCD
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/07416-5 - Multitemporal Monitoring with LiDAR for Large-Scale Assessment of Growth and Biomass Accumulation in Restored Areas in the Pontal do Paranapanema, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Anthropogenic actions have represented the largest contributions of carbon emissions into the atmosphere for years, contributing significantly to climate change. In order to mitigate such changes and their respective consequences, international environmental agendas have been established at different scales with the aim of intensifying conservation and restoration activities of native vegetation. The sequestration and storage of stored carbon gives forest restoration actions great potential to contribute to the fulfillment of major international agreements and agendas for mitigating the effects of climate change. However, knowing the high costs associated with restoration activities, it is necessary to restore with precision, focusing on optimizing results and the effectiveness of the ecosystem services provided, such as carbon stock. To guarantee the security of the investment, the choice of restorable areas must be thoroughly analyzed, in order to spatially understand the variables that relate to the potential carbon to be stored. The objective of the present work is to use biophysical and anthropogenic variables to model in a spatially explicit way the potential carbon stock in restoration projects. The modeling will be carried out in Dinâmica EGO and through the data obtained, it is expected to contrast the results with carbon stock data collected and extrapolated by the LiDAR sensor, from an area already restored and of known age, allowing us to conclude on the effectiveness of the projection of carbon stock potential of the study area. Results of this study could contribute to the Climate Action Plan of the State of São Paulo, in addition to benefiting private restoration initiatives focused on the carbon market.