ABSTRACT
Carbon sequestration projects are currently being explored as a method for offsetting carbon emissions and addressing global concerns over climate change. This paper examines the potential for carbon sequestration projects in the Panama Canal Watershed, an area with increasingly fragile forest ecosystems. The maintenance of forests in the Watershed has economic and ecological value for operating the Canal, providing drinking water to Panama City, and protecting wildlife habitat and diversity. Land conversion to agriculture and pasture has led to widespread deforestation; predicted population growth threatens the Watershed further. Compounding the problem is the lack of funding for protected areas in the Canal Watershed Area. Carbon sequestration projects are being promoted as an economically efficient way to reduce harmful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and increase forest cover in developing countries. Forests, acting as sinks for carbon, can reduce emissions produced elsewhere. Many concerns have been 54raised by developing countries, and uncertainties relating to carbon storage and carbon trading remain to be resolved. Despite these drawbacks, carbon sequestration projects offer an economically attractive strategy for furthering Panama’s goals of protecting and expanding forest cover in the Watershed. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@ haworthpressinc.com < Website: https://www.haworthpressinc.com>]
