Quantification of carbon stored in two forests of the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve (Cuba): Implications for payment schemes for environmental services Quantification of carbon stored in two forests of the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve (Cuba): Implications for payment schemes for environmental services

Abstract

Tropical forests store approximately 25% of global terrestrial carbon, making them central actors in climate change mitigation and potential beneficiaries of Payments for Ecosystem Services. This research quantified the carbon stored in aboveground and belowground biomass of two forests at different successional stages: El Mulo, a regenerating forest, and Las Peladas a mature forest, both located in the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve, Cuba. Nine 500 m² plots were established, five in Las Peladas and four in El Mulo. Diameter at 1.30 m ≥ 5 cm and total height were measured for all tree individuals. Biomass was estimated using an allometric equation incorporating diameter and height. Estimated stored carbon was 34.65 t CO₂ ha⁻¹ in El Mulo and 104.32 tCO₂ ha⁻¹ in Las Peladas. Prunus occidentalis Sw. dominated in El Mulo with 37.2% of total carbon, while Matayba oppositifolia (A. Rich.) Britton was key in Las Peladas with 22.4%. Economic valuation under a conservative range of 10–20 USD tCO₂⁻¹ yielded a potential value per plot of up to 1,521 USD for Las Peladas, equivalent to a historical stock of 44,000–88,000 USD for the entire core area. The value of mature forests for carbon sequestration is confirmed, and differentiated management, annual monitoring of sequestration, and certification under voluntary standards are recommended to access carbon markets.