Terrestrial ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle. Tropicalforests in Southeast Asia are constantly changing as a result of harvesting and conversion to otherland cover. As a result of these changes, research on C budgets of forest ecosystems has intensi-fied in the region over the last few years. This paper reviews and synthesizes the available infor-mation. Natural forests in SE Asia typically contain a high C density (up to 500 Mg/ha). Loggingactivities are responsible for at least 50% decline in forest C density. Complete deforestation(conversion from forest to grassland or annual crops) results in C density of less than 40 Mg/ha.Conversion to tree plantations and other woody perennial crops also reduces C density to lessthan 50% of the original C forest stocks. While much information has been generated recently,there are still large gaps of information on C budgets of tropical forests and its conversion to otherland uses in SE Asia. There is therefore a need to intensify research in this area.
Publication year
2002
Authors
Language
English
Keywords
agroforestry, communities, farms, species, technology
Geographic
Indonesia
