Forest sequestration: Protecting nature's air filters
Forest sequestration is the terrestrial removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the biological processes of plants and trees. There are three different types of forestry projects: reforestation, improved forest management, and avoided deforestation.
- Reforestation projects replant trees on degraded land that was previously forested but is no longer capable of growing trees without planting.
- Improved forest management projects increase a forest's ability to sequester carbon by changing the management practices such as lengthening the time between harvest, harvesting trees at uneven ages instead of clear-cutting, practicing reduced impact logging, and improving the productivity of a forest.
- Avoided deforestation projects prevent forested land from being converted to non-forest uses such as farming.
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Deschutes Riparian Reforestation
Ecuadorian Rainforest Restoration
Preservation of a Native Northwest Forest
The carbon sinks that have been lost through the deforestation and degradation of the world's forests make up almost 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing these emissions is one of the most cost-effective options for mitigating climate change. Carbon finance is one method of compensating those that forgo alternative uses of the land in order to provide ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration.
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