Using replacement cost method to determining the economic value of carbon sequestration in Quercus brantii in the Zavli protected area

Among the un-market services provided by forest ecosystems, absorption and storage of CO2 (Carbon Sequestration) are very important. Today, Greenhouse Effect is regarded as one of the major environmental problems. In present study, the rate of carbon sequestration of Quercus branti in protected region of Shaho located in Kurdistan province, was evaluated and valued. Random systematic Sampling was applyed and the required data including diameter at breast height (d.b.h.), total height, crown height, crown diameter and etc, was gathered from thirty (30) sampling plots. Valuate this service, replacement cost method was used. The result showed that the monetary value of this forest for carbon sequestration is 10792650 Rials. Annual economic value of the this function in the study area was estimated more than 2698162500 Rials. Thus, by comptent management and preservation strategies, a positive and significant steps will be taken in order to reduce the consentration of atmospheric carbon.