The Klinki Forestry Project will convert pastures and marginal farmland to commercial tree plantations by
promoting the planting of 6,000 hectares of private farms with mixtures of selected fast-growing tree
species in a matrix, with the Klinki tree as a major component. The trees will be harvested periodically
for use in long-lived lumber products (such as utility poles) or left standing. The project will include
small, medium, and large farms, educational pilot projects, and investor farms. Farmers will be given
incentives for plantings in return for the rights to the sequestered carbon. The objective of the project
is to develop a demonstration of the involvement of the farmer in carbon sequestration as an economic
activity using the latest tree farming technology while providing greenhouse gas (GHG), wood production,
and conservation benefits.
4. Participants:
Name of Organization or Individual
Country
Cantonal Agricultural Center of Turrialba (CACTU)
Costa Rica
Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE)
Costa Rica
Reforest the Tropics, Inc.
U.S.A.
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Products Laboratory
U.S.A.
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
U.S.A.
Item
Organization
Name of organization (original language)
or
Name of individual if unaffiliated with any organization
Contact Person for AIJ Activities (if different from the Administrative Officer)
Surname
First name, middle name
Job title
Direct telephone
Direct fax
Direct e-mail
Item
Organization
Name of organization (original language)
or
Name of individual if unaffiliated with any organization
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Products Laboratory
Name of organization (English)
(Same as above)
Acronym (original language)
Acronym (English)
Department
Function(s) within the AIJ project activities
Technical assistance
Street
One Gifford Pinchot Dr.
City
Madison
State
Wisconsin
Post code
53705-2398
Country
U.S.A.
Telephone
(608) 231-9200
Fax
E-mail
World Wide Web-URL address
Administrative Officer Responsible for the Project
Surname
De Groot
First name, middle name
Rodney C.
Job title
Research Plant Pathologist
Direct telephone
(608) 231-9461
Direct fax
(608) 231-9592
Direct e-mail
Contact Person for AIJ Activities (if different from the Administrative Officer)
Surname
First name, middle name
Job title
Direct telephone
Direct fax
Direct e-mail
Item
Organization
Name of organization (original language)
or
Name of individual if unaffiliated with any organization
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
Name of organization (English)
(Same as above)
Acronym (original language)
None
Acronym (English)
None
Department
Function(s) within the AIJ project activities
Technical assistance
Street
205 Prospect St.
City
New Haven
State
Connecticut
Post code
06513
Country
U.S.A.
Telephone
(203) 432-5109
Fax
(203) 432-5942
E-mail
World Wide Web-URL address
Administrative Officer Responsible for the Project
Surname
Geballe
First name, middle name
Gordon
Job title
Assistant Dean
Direct telephone
(203) 432-5109
Direct fax
(203) 432-5942
Direct e-mail
Contact Person for AIJ Activities (if different from the Administrative Officer)
Surname
First name, middle name
Job title
Direct telephone
Direct fax
Direct e-mail
5. Description of AIJ project activities
Item
Type of Project
Sector(s)
Land-use change and forestry
Primary activity(ies)
Afforestation, reforestation, silviculture
Project Location
Country
Costa Rica
Exact location (city, state, region)
In the Turrialba Valley in the Atlantic zone of Costa Rica, and to the north toward San Carlos
Key Dates and Current Stage of Project
Project starting date (month/year)
June 1997
Project ending date (month/year)
May 2043
Project lifetime (years)
46
Current stage of project
In progress
General Project Description and Technical Data
Using the latest tree farming technology, this project demonstrates the involvement of the farmer
in carbon sequestration as an economic activity, while providing greenhouse gas, wood production,
and conservation benefits. The project will convert pastures and marginal farmland to commercial
tree plantations by planting 6,000 hectares with mixtures of selected fast-growing tree species in
a matrix. The Klinki tree will be the major component. Carbon sequestration will be calculated from
biomass production. The trees will be left standing or harvested for use in long-lived lumber
products (such as utility poles). Emissions associated with harvesting will be extremely small and
are not accounted for here. Farmer groups will be paid incentives for planting in exchange for
long-term rights to the sequestered carbon.
The project will include small, medium, and large farms, educational pilot projects, and private
investor farms. Small farms (less than 10 hectares (ha)) will be used to determine whether
involvement of small farmers is efficient. Medium farms (10-99 ha) will likely be part of
cooperatives. Large farms (100 ha or more) are either extended-family farms or Costa Rican limited
corporations. Educational projects (150 - 300 ha) will be conducted with research institutions such
as CATIE. Private investor farms will be established as a pilot project to assess whether there is
interest in this type of project from the investment community. Starting in 1997, 100 ha will be
planted. In each of the five subsequent years, 500, 1000, 1,300, 1,525, and 1,575 ha will be
planted.
6. Cost
(a) Explanation of methodology for calculating cost data
Cost data for project development are based on actual expenses. Cost data for project implementation is
based on projected labor, seedling production, administrative, and technical assistance costs. Cost data
also include farmer incentives.
(b) Cost data-Project development
Approximately $200,000.
(c) Cost data-Project implementation
Itemized Project Implementation Costs
Revenues will accrue to farmers from the sale of wood. Based on a stump value of $30 per cubic meter, net
revenues from the sale of wood could exceed $150 million.
7. Monitoring and verification of AIJ project activities and results
Item
Party(ies) that will be monitoring project activities
CACTU, Costa Rican government
Party(ies) that will be externally verifying project results
This information is not yet available.
Date when the monitoring plan became (or will become) operational (month/year)
June 1997
Types of data that will be collected
Standard forest inventory measurements including plot size, vegetation size, soil and subsoil
organic matter content, and tree carbon content.
Description of Monitoring and Verification Activities and Schedule for Implementation
Monitoring of fixed carbon will be an integral part of forest management, beginning when sites are
selected for planting and continuing through the rotation. Managed areas will be monitored visually
on an annual or more frequent basis. Carbon inventories will be carried out at regular intervals by
measuring trees and soil carbon contents. Annual reports will include updated periodic inventory
results. Permanent plots will be established in selected areas for long-term measurement. Intensity
of sampling will vary by major site type and by potential value of carbon or commercial product,
and will be initially designed for a standard error of approximately 30%.
B. Governmental approval
Item
Please check one of the following.
This report is a first report.
or
This report is an
intermediate report.
or
This report is a final report.
Please check one of the following:
This report is a joint
report. Letter(s) of approval of this report from the designated national authority of the other
Party(ies) involved in the activity is(are) attached in Section J, Annex.
or
This report is a separate report.
Additional comments (if any):
C. Compatibility with, and supportiveness of, national economic development and socioeconomic and
environmental priorities and strategies
Compatibility with Economic Development and Socioeconomic and Environmental Priorities
In the letter from the host country accepting the project (1 November 1995), René Castro
states, "This project is a good candidate for joint implementation because it fulfills the
following standards: local support for the project; environmental, financial, technical and
institutional feasibility; contribution to national sustainable development priorities; [and]
consistency with existing Costa Rican laws and regulations." In a letter to the project
developers (12 December 1995), the Costa Rican Forestry Directorate states that the project and the
Directorate share the same goals, and that the government of Costa Rica supports growing trees to
absorb greenhouse gases. The Municipality of Turrialba states in a letter (2 November 1994) that
the Municipality values the project highly.
D. Environmental, social/cultural, and economic impacts of the AIJ project
Non-Greenhouse-Gas Environmental Impacts of the Project
The project will decrease soil erosion, increase biodiversity by nurturing a new understory with
native species, reduce logging pressure on the natural forest, reduce energy use for concrete
production through Klinki plywood substitution, improve water habitats, improve streamflow, and
reduce the use of chemicals as low yield crops are shifted to forest plantations.
Social/Cultural Impacts of the Project
The project will provide more affordable housing through lower-priced construction materials. In
addition, the project will provide a stable source of income to local farmers through payments for
plantings, reduce migration to cities, and educate farmers through training classes.
Economic Impacts of the Project
The project will increase exports from Costa Rica (utility poles and plywood), provide revenue to
locals from carbon credits, develop new wood-based industries, and create a more diversified farm
economy.
E. Greenhouse gas impacts of the AIJ project
1. Scenario description
Item
Site Designation
Site number (order of presentation in this report)
1 of 1
Site name/designation
Turrialba Valley (Atlantic Zone)
Project sector
Land-use change and forestry
Reference Scenario
Primary activity(ies)
Farming and pasture for livestock
Has the reference scenario changed since the last report? (If yes, explain any changes below.)
Yes
No
This is the first project report.
Description:
The project activities will occur on pastures and marginal farmland, which are expected to remain
in those uses over the project lifetime.
The project will plant 6,000 hectares of Klinki matrix mixed with other fast-growing tree species.
During this time, the trees will be left standing or harvested for use in long-lived lumber
products (such as utility poles and plywood). Emissions associated with harvesting will be
extremely small and are not accounted for here. Starting in 1997, 100 ha will be planted. In each
of the five subsequent years, 500, 1000, 1,300, 1,525, and 1,575 ha will be planted.
Description of Calculation Methodology for the Reference Scenario
The project developers expect that without the project, soil carbon stocks will decline as a result
of ongoing soil degradation. However, these losses have not been quantified, and are not included
in the reference scenario calculations. Instead, the reference scenario assumes that biomass and
soil carbon stocks remain constant throughout the lifetime of the project. Thus, annual emissions
in the reference scenario are zero.
Description of Calculation Methodology for the Project Scenario
In the project scenario, mixed stands of Klinki and other species are planted on participating
farms in each of the first six years. Net uptake occurs as the Klinki grows, accumulating carbon in
above- and below-ground biomass. The developer estimates that average annual net uptake will be 8.2
tonnes (t) carbon (C)/ha-yr based on growth and yield data gathered from Klinki stands planted in
the Turrialba region over the last 26 years. Although the mixed stands planned for this project are
anticipated to result in as much as 15% higher accumulation rates than pure Klinki, there are
insufficient empirical data to quantify this assumption and therefore the proposal uses the lower
rates for pure Klinki. Soil carbon levels are also expected to increase, but this additional carbon
accumulation is not calculated in order to be conservative.
Project scenario sequestration for a given year is calculated by multiplying the cumulative number
of hectares enrolled in the project in that year by the annual uptake estimate of 8.2 t C/ha-yr.
Because of the lag time between planting and sequestration, GHG accounting for plantings in a
specific year occurs in the subsequent year. Thus, the first year of uptake from the first 100 ha
planted in year 1 (820 t C), is accounted for in the second year of the project. Uptake in year 3,
due to year 1 and year 2 plantings (100 + 500 ha) is 4,920 t C. By the beginning of year 6, all
plantings will have been made and the total area will be 6,000 ha. Therefore, annual uptake in year
7 is 49,200 t C/yr. Annual uptake remains constant through year 41, and then declines over the
subsequent five years as trees planted in the first five years are harvested. To convert t of C to
t of carbon dioxide (CO2), the uptake of carbon was multiplied by the ratio of 44 t
CO2/12 t C.
Description of Calculation Methodology for the Actual Project
This information is not yet available.
3. GHG emission/sequestration data
(a) Reporting of GHG emissions/sequestration
(b) Additional information on GHG emissions/sequestration
Indirect or Secondary GHG Impacts (Positive and Negative)
Secondary GHG benefits will also accrue from the growth of non-Klinki trees within the matrix. As
mentioned above, the project may also avoid soil carbon loss that would have occurred in the
absence of the project because of the current deforested state of the land. Neither of these GHG
impacts are quantified in this report.
Factors That Could Cause the Future Loss or Reversal of GHG Benefits
With the exception of natural disaster, no risks of losing project carbon benefits are anticipated.
Strategy for Reducing the Risk of Future Loss or Reversal of GHG Benefits
This information is not yet available.
F. Funding of the AIJ project
1. Identification of funding sources
(a) Funding sources for project development
Funds for project development came from private sources.
(b) Funding sources for project implementation
Funds for project implementation are still being raised. A major effort has been made to organize
educational programs in the U.S. in conjunction with fundraising. Funding of the farmer plantings comes
from U.S. emitters including individuals, clubs, schools, and businesses.
2. Assessment of additional funding needs
Current or Planned Activities to Obtain Additional Funding
Project activities in the U.S. are being expanded to include more visits to schools and contact
with donors.
G. Contribution to capacity building and technology transfer
Contribution to Capacity Building and Technology Transfer
The project developer hopes that this project will become a model for tropical farmers to convert
their marginal land to forest and receive dividends from the sale of wood. In addition, it is hoped
that markets and industries for durable Klinki-based projects will be developed.
H. Recent developments, technical difficulties, and obstacles encountered
Recent Project Developments
This information is not yet available.
Technical Difficulties and Other Obstacles Encountered
This information is not yet available.
I. Additional information
Additional Information
None.
J. Annex
1. Host country acceptance of the AIJ project
Country/Project Title
Name, Title, and Government Agencyof the DesignatedNational Authority
Date of Approval(day/month/year)
Klinki Forestry Project
Rene Castro S., Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines
