The Crucial Role of Chilean Forests in Capturing CO2 and Mitigating Climate Change
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Loading... - Eldrid Jacobsen
- 15 Jul 2024
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The forests and peatlands of Chile, particularly those in Patagonia and Chiloé, play a vital role in combating climate change by acting as natural carbon sinks. These ecosystems absorb significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, as pioneering studies by Chilean researchers have shown.
Importance of Carbon Sinks
Peatlands of Patagonia and Forests of Chiloé
Chilean territory is crucial in the global effort to address the climate crisis and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The soils and forests of Chile act as carbon sinks, storing carbon in various organic compounds. Recent research led by Jorge Pérez-Quezada from the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB) and the University of Chile highlights the importance of these ecosystems.
Chiloé Forests
Pérez-Quezada's study concluded that the forests of Chiloé absorb nearly 18 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare per year, equivalent to the emissions of 3.4 cars in the same period. Conducted in a forest near Ancud, the research found that for the past decade, this forest has functioned as a carbon sink. Comparatively, tropical rainforests like those in the Amazon absorb about 22.5 tons of CO2 per hectare per year.
“This shows that forests are mitigating climate change because every ton of CO2 we remove from the atmosphere helps us,” Pérez-Quezada explains. He emphasizes the importance of conserving these territories not only for their biodiversity but also for their role in carbon accumulation, a function previously thought to be absent in mature forests. “Mature forests continue to accumulate carbon, making their conservation extremely important,” he adds.
The Role of Patagonia
Peatlands
In addition to Chiloé, Patagonia is another critical region for carbon capture through its extensive peatlands. Data from Puerto Williams, collected using Eddy covariance monitoring towers, measures the exchange of carbon dioxide between ecosystems and the atmosphere. A 2023 study led by Pérez-Quezada revealed that Chilean Patagonia stores nearly twice as much carbon per hectare as Amazonian forests.
Chile has approximately 45,000 km² of peatlands, which have a high capacity to absorb and filter water and retain carbon and methane. The Magallanes region alone contains 66% of the country's peatlands. “Peatlands in Chile absorb the equivalent of 18% of total greenhouse gas emissions,” says Frederic Thalasso, a senior researcher at the Cape Horn International Center (CHIC). He estimates that Chile’s peatlands store around four gigatonnes (4 billion tonnes) of carbon. If these peatlands are neglected or exploited, this stored carbon could quickly convert to CO2, exacerbating climate change.
Annual CO2 Capture
Chile’s peatlands capture approximately 20 megatonnes (20 million tons) of CO2 annually, which is about 18% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions.
Policy Implications and Future Actions
Government Initiatives
Environment Minister Maisa Rojas highlights the importance of these studies in developing effective climate policies and protecting the biosphere. “Chile’s climate commitments recognize the fundamental role that our terrestrial and marine ecosystems play in carbon capture and adaptation to climate change. Studies like this help us understand the role of our ecosystems in carbon capture and storage, strengthening our greenhouse gas emissions inventories and developing more effective climate policies,” she states.
Conservation Efforts
The research underscores the need for increased conservation efforts to protect these vital ecosystems. By preserving forests and peatlands, Chile can continue to leverage these natural carbon sinks to mitigate the effects of climate change and meet its international climate commitments.
Chilean forests and peatlands are essential allies in the fight against climate change. Their ability to act as carbon sinks highlights the importance of conserving these ecosystems. Through ongoing research and effective policy measures, Chile can protect these critical areas, ensuring their continued role in carbon capture and climate mitigation.
