Estimating Economic Value of Carbon Sequestration Services in Rangelands with Replacement Cost Method (Case Study: Khoy Dizaj Batchy Rangeland)

Ghoreyshi,, Roghayeh; Motamedi, Javad; Sheidai Karkaj, Esmaeil

Estimating Economic Value of Carbon Sequestration Services in Rangelands with Replacement Cost Method (Case Study: Khoy Dizaj Batchy Rangeland)

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

¹ MSc. in Rangeland Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil

² Assistant Professor, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Urmia, Urmia

³ PhD. Student of Rangeland Sciences, Faculty of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan

Abstract

Valuation of environmental problems and issues in various dimensions are counting as basic step in solving problems and also protection of environment and achieving sustainable development. Economic valuation can be involved in positive manner to improve environmental politics. Now, it proved that the degradation of ecosystems and worsening the quality and quantity services provided by ecosystem has negative impacts on economic growth. In this study, the economic value estimation of carbon sequestration was conducted in two parts of vegetation and soil through cost-based valuation approach. In study sites, soil and vegetation sampling was conducted for measuring carbon amount with random- systematic method. Carbon amount in both soil and plants was measured via experiments. Finally the Rial value of each ton carbon per hectare in year was obtained for each sites with Replacement Cost Method. Based on the results, the lowest and highest value of economic of carbon storage in the Dizaj Batchy city of Khoy, with the average grazing intensity, were estimated about 14630, 8874, 6722 million Rial/ha, respectively. As such moderate intensity grazing rangeland had greatest economic value of carbon sequestration in the region. Studying the relative portion in ecosystem parts showed that greatest profit of carbon sequestration belongs to the soil. This point implies that the soil is the most important source of soil carbon storage in rangeland ecosystems.

Keywords