Identifying potential of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) in northern Pakistan

Abstract

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) is a mechanism to cut down GHG emissions and protect threatened forest ecosystems. Pakistan is suffering from high deforestation rates, bringing down its forest cover from 5 to 2.5%. This study was designed to identify the potential sites for implementation of REDD/REDD+ in forest rich districts of Pakistan by using SPOT and MODIS vegetation indices. Change in the forest cover was assessed between years 2000 and 2012 in addition to the amount of atmospheric CO2 released and/or absorbed over the study area. Results showed an increase in NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) by 9.7 and 11.6 percent based on SPOT and MODIS observations, respectively. On the other hand CO2 emission inventory data from EDGAR (Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research) and REAS (Regional Emission inventory for ASia) showed an overall increasing trend which is mostly due to anthropogenic sources in the study area. Finally, CO2 emissions calculated using carbon stock data and change in forest cover, exhibited a net sequestration of atmospheric CO2 with huge potential of implementation of REDD+ initiative in the selected district of Dir, Pakistan.