India’s forests could nearly double carbon storage by 2100, study finds, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• A new study projects India's forests could nearly double their carbon storage capacity by 2100 if current greenhouse gas emission trends continue.
• The study forecasts vegetation carbon biomass will increase by 35% under a low-emissions future, 62% under a medium-emissions pathway, and 97% under a high-emissions scenario.
• Rising precipitation and elevated atmospheric CO₂ levels are the primary drivers of the projected increases in carbon storage.
• The largest relative increases in vegetation carbon are expected in India's driest regions, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, and western Madhya Pradesh.

Detailed Insights:

• The study's projections diverge from official estimates compiled by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), highlighting the need for granular forecasts of forest carbon stocks.
• Until 2030, all emission scenarios project similar vegetation quantities, after which they diverge sharply, with the steepest acceleration occurring post-2050.
• Higher rainfall is projected across much of India, providing more moisture for tree growth, while increased CO₂ enhances photosynthesis and water-use efficiency.
• The Western Ghats and the Himalayas are projected to see smaller relative increases due to ecological saturation and specific climatic pressures.
• The study warns that disruptive forces like deforestation, land conversion, fire, and pest outbreaks, intensified by warming, are not captured in the models.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Carbon Sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in plants, soil, or other reservoirs.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The release of gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, trapping heat and contributing to climate change.
• Vegetation Biomass: The total mass of living plant matter in a given area, often used as a measure of carbon storage potential.

Carbon Sequestration