A review of protocols used for assessment of carbon stock in forested landscapes

The Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice of the UNFCCC is focused on methodological issues that include reference levels of CO2 emissions from deforestations and forest degradations under Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). Quantification of forest carbon stock is a challenging task involving high degrees of uncertainty and discrepancies because of methods used. It is important that the REDD stakeholders be able to compare the REDD designs options, using standardized data. In this paper, we provide a review of the various methods used for estimation of above and below-ground biomass for carbon stock and soil organic carbon to help decide what would best suit different landscapes and regions so as to set standardized reference levels. Our review suggests that the ‘forest yield method’, ‘biomass expansion factor’ and ‘Walkley–Black’ methods are simple, time and cost effective and yield accurate results as the ‘forest yield method’ covers all strata of forest vegetation, ‘biomass expansion factor’ method can be directly applied to volume data and the ‘Walkley–Black’ method is rapid and requires minimal equipment. However, the effectiveness and feasibility of different methods may vary depending upon landscape and forest types.

► Methods to estimate carbon stock in above and below ground biomass and soil reviewed. ► Methods were compared on basis of common parameters. ► Forest yield, biomass expansion factor and Walkley–Black methods found to be better. ► Effectiveness and feasibility of methods depend upon landscape and forest types.