Measurements and economics of carbon sequestration in temperate tree-based intercropping systems

The paper aims to quantify and monetise carbon sequestration potential of temperate Tree-Based Intercropping (TBI) systems in Canada. The net carbon sequestration potential is estimated to be 2.26 Mg C ha<SUP align="right"><SMALL>−1</SMALL></SUP>y<SUP align="right"><SMALL>−1</SMALL></SUP> that represents an immobilisation of 8.3 ton CO<SUB align="right"><SMALL>2</SMALL></SUB> ha<SUP align="right"><SMALL>−1</SMALL></SUP>y<SUP align="right"><SMALL>−1</SMALL></SUP>. In economic terms this amount of sequestered carbon represents $24,383 per hectare of societal benefits over a rotation period of 40 years. This means 137 million dollars per year of climate regulation services could be achieved through establishment of TBI systems on 1.93 million hectares of land areas in the province of Québec in Canada. Government incentives, however, are needed to interest farmers in adopting practices that reduce farmers' private profits yet benefit society as a whole.tree-based intercropping systems; agroforestry; climate change; economic valuation; carbon sequestration; CO2; carbon dioxide; Canada; government incentives; agriculture; forestry