The Potential of Selective Harvesting in Mitigating Biomass and Carbon Loss in Forest Co-management Block in Liwonde Forest Reserve, Malawi

Abstract

Carbon reduction strategies in “forests remaining as forests” are currently limited to forest plantations and harvesting “avoidance” activities. However, emerging modalities such as selective harvesting are gaining increased recognition. This study was conducted to determine the potential of selective harvesting in mitigating biomass and carbon loss in forest co-managment block in Liwonde forest reserve, Malawi. The results showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences on forest living biomass and carbon stock between non-harvested area and harvested area after four years of harvest. The total living biomass and carbon stock for non-harvested area were 140.34 tha-1 and 70.17 tCha-1, respectively; while for harvested area were 122.12 tha-1 and 61.06 tCha-1, respectively. The rate of carbon sequestration in the non-harvested area was 0.72 tCha-1y-1, while for the harvested area was 5.40 tCha-1y-1. The carbon stock estimation prediction models established indicate that beyond 6 years after harvest, the carbon stock would be equal in both harvested and non-harvested areas. The uncertainties for the estimated living biomass and carbon stock were within those recommended for REDD+ mechanism (<15%). Therefore, selective harvesting has the potential to mitigate biomass and carbon loss. Hence, it is possible to register carbon projects in Malawi through selective harvesting with Chindenga forest co-management block in Liwonde forest reserve as one of the site.