Measuring carbon to save tropical forests

After a period of measurement, scientists from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) have released official data on the amount of carbon stored in tropical forests in Sri Lanka. This finding is expected to play an important part in reducing deforestation that is already rampant in South Asia.

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According to statistics, deforestation accounts for 12% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. To solve this problem, in recent years the United Nations has launched the program "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation" (REDD). Accordingly, developed countries have the task of providing financial support to tropical forest countries to protect these forests.

However, according to Eskil Mattsson - a doctoral student in the Department of Earth Sciences, the REDD program is only really effective if accurate data is available on the amount of carbon that these forests are storing.'This measurement is very important to estimate the costs and benefits of deforestation, because the level of financial support is based solely on the amount of carbon in those forests,' Mattsson said.

In addition, Mattsson's research also shows the possibility of using other ecosystems to replace forests in the supply of timber and food for local people, while contributing to effective policies to combating climate change.