Economic Evaluation of Carbon Sequestration in Zagros Oak Forests (Case Study: The Pahnus Forest habitat, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province)

Examining the economic value of carbon sequestration in forests is essential, given the risk of global climate change, which has posed a profound challenge to societies internationally. The present study investigates the amount of carbon sequestration and its economic value in the oak forests (Quercus brantii L.) of Pahnus forest habitat with an area of 990 ha, located in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, western Iran. For this purpose, systematic sampling with random starting points was chosen, and required variables such as diameter at breast height, tree height, and canopy diameter of all trees in 100 sample plots with dimensions of 60 × 60 m were collected. The  biomass value in the aerial and below-ground organs of trees was estimated using two methods, allometric equations, and the density method. Then, the value of storage and sequestrated carbon was calculated by the trees' dry biomass using experimental formulas, and the carbon tax rate was determined to value the function of carbon sequestration. The results showed that the value of carbon sequestration per hectare of these forests using allometric equations and the density method is 0.83 and 0.74 Mg C ha-1 y-1, respectively. Considering USD 60 as a tax rate per Mg C, the economic value of carbon sequestration in each method was estimated at USD 50.05 and USD 44.47 ha-1 for 2020, respectively. The results of this study show the high carbon sequestration capacity of the Pahnus Forest. Thus, the proper conservation and management of such forests can lead to the storage of a significant atmospheric carbon value.