Measurement and Economic Valuation of Carbon Sequestration around Rawal Lake

Abstract

Carbon sequestration is the process of removing carbon from atmosphere which is either stored in reservoir or transformed to some other useful substance. Wetlands play vital role in removing carbon from atmosphere which is evident by the fact that 14.5 % of world’s organic carbon is stored in wetlands which account only 6% of worlds fresh water surface. Wetlands possess special ecosystem that decreases decomposition rate of organic matter hence store carbon for longer period of time. Rawal lake, located in Potwar Platue, is 10 km away from Rawalpindi with an area of 8.8 km2 at altitude of 1800 m. It is replenished by 4-5 major and 43 small streams. There were three main objectives of this study. First objective was the change detection of land use land cover from 1999 to 2019 using LANDSAT 5 (TM) and LANDSAT 8 (OLI TIRS) respectively. Second objective was the estimation and mapping of carbon sequestration of Rawal Lake. Third objective of this study was the economic valuation of ecosystem services by estimation of willingness to pay of respondents mainly tourists. Carbon sequestration rate of Rawal lake was estimated using soil carbon analysis and aboveground vegetation carbon analysis. In addition to this, land use land cover analysis from 1999 to 2019 was also performed along with NDVI. Willingness to pay for ecosystem services were estimated for economic valuation. NDVI and LULC revealed that bare land in surroundings of Rawal Lake has decreased in past 20 years whereas water and vegetation has increased. Urban area has also increased drastically. Total stored carbon in Rawal lake was 257.8 T/Ha. Estimated carbon sequestration rate of Rawal Lake was 30.76 g C m-2 y-1. Willingness to pay was estimated from direct face to face question and responses from visitors in Rawal Lake. Survey results of 250 responses show that WTP for tree plantation was maximum and it reached up to PKR 3000/-, whereas minimum WTP was for soil which didn’t go beyond PKR 1000/-. Unplanned urbanization was regarded as the main factor of carbon leakage by respondents. Respondents prioritized ecosystem services of Rawal lake, which included clean water and fresh air, over non ecosystem services, which included fishing and rowing. Vegetation increase can help in increasing carbon sequestration potential also it can reduce atmospheric temperature. Wetlands preservation and vegetation enhancement should be given prime importance to control the harsh effects of global warming caused by carbon emissions.