Wednesday, November 7, 2007
314-1

Generation of Carbon Credits and Economic Profitability of Ponderosa Pine Management Practices in Wyoming.

Amitava Chatterjee1, George F. Vance1, Siān Mooney2, Daniel B. Tinker1, James Arnold3, Peter D. Stahl1, and Bill Haggenson3. (1) University of Wyoming, Univ. of Wyoming, Department of Renewable Resources, Dept. 3354, Laramie, WY 82071-2000, (2) Boise State University, Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1620, (3) Wyoming State Forestry Division, 1100 W. 22nd Street, Cheyenne, WY 82002

Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere is thought to lead to changes in global climate and has spawned national and international policies to slow down the rate of CO2 emissions as well as management practices that increase carbon sequestration. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is one of the dominant forest species in Wyoming and accounts for 67 percent of Wyoming timber harvest. Moreover, 64 percent of ponderosa pine forests occupy private land and are managed extensively. The economic profitability and potential of developing C credits were estimated for three ponderosa pine stands - unmanaged, even-aged, and uneven-aged sites located in Black Hills National Forest, Wyoming. Economic analysis of C credits and profitability suggest that average annual change in C was highest with even-aged management, whereas maximum economic profitability was accomplished with t uneven-aged management. If a forest manager could receive an annual payment of at least $15.16 Mg-1 C ha-1 switching from uneven-aged to even-aged management would be profitable.

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