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   Location:Home > Research > Research Progress
Rotation of 40 years is best for rubber plantation in Xishuangbanna
Author: Syed Moazzam Nizami
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Update time: 2014-12-26
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The Kyoto Protocol is a legally binding agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990. In Article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol, extension of the rotation length in forest management has been highlighted to help the countries in their commitments for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. For the application under Article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol a change in rotation length is also seen as a forest management activity that countries may choose to help them meet their commitments for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Any reduction in the soil C stock would, in addition, make it necessary to assess alterations in the C stocks of forests for Article 3.4 the Kyoto Protocol.

Rotation length (planned time of the establishment of a forest stands to its final felling) is considered to be an effective forest management activity for controlling the C stocks in forests. Prof. ZHANG Yiping and his team conducted a study to assess the potential of C sequestration and rubber production in the existing rubber plantation (Hevea brasilensis) of Xishuangbanna, South Western, China.

Based on the forest inventory data and literature, using a CO2FIX model a reference for more comprehensive and accurate estimate at different rotation lengths has been determined. The specific aims of the study were (i) to assess the effects of rotation length on above and below ground C as well as on rubber production and (2) to determine the rotation length where the highest carbon sink eligible under Article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol .

  To demonstrate the mechanism that determines the effect of rotation length on the C stocks, five different rotations (25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years) in rubber plantation were considered.

The study revealed that the C stocks of entire ecosystem increased with longer the rotation length. At the age of 40 years the rate of input of C stock (Mg C ha−1 yr−1) remained highest and then it starts declining. So 40 years rotation is best for rubber grown in Xishuangbanna SW China in the context of the maximum C sink. The study also determined the C stocks dynamics in four consecutive cycles of different rotation by running simulations.

   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.

    The study entitled “Managing Carbon Sinks in Rubber (Hevea brasilensis) Plantation by Changing Rotation length in SW China” has been published on PLoS ONE.

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Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Menglun, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China
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