Valuation of Carbon Sequestration and Storage Ecosystem Services in a Tropical Moist Forest of Chocó, Colombia

Abstract

The payment value for the ecosystem service of carbon sequestration and storage in forests and agroforestry systems with cacao (AFS-cacao) from the sub-basin of river Munguidó, Quibdó, Colombia was estimated. The productive activities of highest economic importance (cane, pineapple, plantain, cassava, AFS-cacao, and timber harvesting) were selected, and their financial profit was assessed: net present value (NPV), cost-benefit ratio (B/C), and the internal rate of return (IRR). The payment value for the service was estimated considering the profitability of productive activities and carbon sequestration rate. Minimum and maximum values to pay for reduction of carbon emissions in primary forests, and for carbon sequestration in secondary forests and AFS-cacao are between 4 and 27; 5 and 37; and 9 and 63 U$/Mg CO2e, respectively.

Keywords:
Primary and secondary forest; AFS with cacao; profitability