Carbon storage and global change: the role of oil palm

Abstract

In the context of global change, potential estimations of carbon storage by the oil palm ecosystem in different ecologies have been calculated for the major productive countries in Africa, Asian and American continents. Comparisons were done with other types of planted ecosystems as eucalyptus and coconut as well as different types of natural forests. Carbon budget components as NPP, autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration, litter and fine litter contributions were discussed in regards to the very high rate of carbon sequestration by oil palm ecosystem : from 250 to 940 C m–2 yr –1 (estimations including harvested bunches).