There is a high level of interest in measuring the quantity of carbon in tropical forests as a result of the development of initiatives such as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation), that aim to provide funding for achieving the preservation of these ecosystems. Ground-based forest inventories remain an important method for collecting this information and for validating estimates based on remote sensing data. However, many different organisations are often involved in efforts to establish carbon-based projects in tropical forest regions and their efforts are often poorly coordinated. This publication outlines the steps that can be taken to compile and analyse field-based carbon stock data from a range of sources, in order to build a consistent, regional dataset of tropical forest carbon stocks. Our results are illustrated using findings from a case study undertaken in Madre de Dios, southern Peru.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
WWF

Region
Americas

Biome
Tropical

Forest Type
All forest types (natural and planted)

Primary Designated Function
All