Any reduction in the rate of deforestation has the benefit of avoiding a significant
source of carbon emissions (especially in the tropics) and reducing other environmental
and social problems associated with deforestation. Current rates of tropical
deforestation-estimated to be 0.7 percent of the remaining forest area per year
(FAO, 1997)-are a primary cause of global biodiversity loss (Heywood, 1995;
Stork, 1997). Deforestation and degradation of upland catchments can disrupt
hydrological systems, replacing year-round water flows in downstream areas with
flood and drought regimes (Myers, 1997). Deforestation can also diminish the
social, aesthetic, and spiritual values of forests.
Limiting deforestation forgoes the opportunity to utilize the land for other purposes, such as agriculture or other developed uses, therefore would potentially be subject to the same opportunity costs that might arise with afforestation and reforestation.
Although there are often synergies between increased carbon storage through ARD activities and other desirable associated impacts, no general rules can be applied; impacts must be assessed individually for each specific case. Associated impacts can often be significant, and the overall desirability of specific ARD activities can be greatly affected by their associated impacts.
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