Author(s):
Hannah Gosnell* - Oregon State University
Susan Charnley - USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
David Diaz - USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to identify how nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners and ranchers can increase carbon sequestration through sustainable forest and range management practices and contribute to carbon mitigation schemes by registering and trading carbon offsets through forestry and range projects. The project has three components:
(1) Synthesize existing science information regarding best forest and range management practices for maximizing carbon sequestration in the study area ecosystems (e.g., species composition, harvest rotations, soil and range improvement techniques);
(2) Review existing and proposed policies for including forest and range management practices in carbon offset trading systems (California Climate Action Registry, Chicago Climate Exchange, Western Climate Initiative);
(3) Conduct two regional case studies involving forest owners and ranchers at field sites in California and Montana who have experience participating in voluntary carbon offset trading systems to learn from their experiences, to asses the social acceptability of alternate carbon management practices, and to test hypotheses about landowner behavior in relation to carbon sequestration and trading activities.
