Page 61 - {PDF Title}

Carbon sequestration in a changing climate

that deforestation is primarily driven by the conversion and land-use changes, as well as the potential benefits
of forests into agricultural land and pastures. This issue of reforestation, which should inform policy makers
is particularly important in developing countries like seeking to promote carbon sequestration while
Pakistan, where agriculture is the primary livelihood. fostering economic growth. By integrating economic,
This study empirically investigated how increasing environmental, and meteorological factors, this study
agricultural income affects carbon sequestration, evaluates Pakistan’s forest carbon sequestration
emphasizing the need for sustainable farming. potential. Although understanding of these processes
Deforestation, another key factor, has been extensively has improved, significant gaps remain, particularly
studied. Bajoria et al. demonstrated that global in rapidly developing countries like Pakistan, where
45
deforestation poses a serious threat to biodiversity, economic growth and environmental sustainability
global warming, and carbon sequestration. Kinda are often in conflict. This research aims to assist
and Thiombiano argue that economic pressures and practitioners and policy makers in enhancing carbon
46
poor governance lead to deforestation in developing sequestration and mitigating climate change, while
countries. Secondary forest growth may temporarily expanding the theoretical understanding of the complex
increase carbon sequestration after deforestation. 47 relationship between socioeconomic, environmental,
Temperature and precipitation are crucial factors and climatic challenges.
affecting forest carbon sequestration. Liu et al. found The literature review led to the formulation of the
48
that the carbon storage capacity of forests diminishes study’s research hypotheses:
as temperature rises due to increased respiration
and reduced biomass growth. Irregular precipitation H1: Increased agricultural revenue in Pakistan
patterns can also induce water stress, which harms diminishes carbon sequestration
forests. Most prior studies have focused on temperate The agricultural sector in Pakistan is essential to the
49
or boreal forests, overlooking issues specific to tropical country’s economic growth due to its contributions
and subtropical regions such as Pakistan. 50,51 This study to employment and Gross domestic product.
showed how increasing temperatures and variable However, increased agricultural activity often leads to
rainfall patterns have impacted carbon sequestration in deforestation and land-use changes, which adversely
Pakistan’s forests, contributing to the global literature. affect carbon sequestration. As agricultural income
It also underscores the importance of climate-resilient rises, farmers and agribusinesses may convert forests in
forestry practices tailored to local conditions. A large to croplands or pastures to increase production, thereby
body of research has examined land-use dynamics and reducing carbon dioxide absorption. Practices such as
their environmental impacts, highlighting how land-use mono cropping and the use of chemical fertilizer scan de
changes affect carbon sequestration. 52,53 Jiang et al. grade soil quality and carbon storage. This hypothesis
54
and Ersoy Tonyaloğlu found that urbanization and examines the tension between the economic benefits of
55
agricultural development reduce forest cover and carbon agriculture and environmental sustainability, proposing
storage capacity. These studies emphasize the need for policies that encourage sustainable land-use practices
integrated land-use planning to balance economic growth and safeguard the carbon sequestration potential of
and environmental sustainability. However, the literature forests.
has yet to explore how land-use changes, combined
with meteorological, socioeconomic, and other factors, H2: Land-use shifts and afforestation may mitigate the
impact national carbon sequestration levels. This gap is carbon sequestration losses caused by deforestation
addressed in this study, which analyzes the effects of Deforestation is a major source of carbon loss, a sit
land-use changes, agricultural income, and climate on depletes the carbon sink capacity of forest ecosystems
carbon sequestration in Pakistan. Policy interventions and releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
to improve forest carbon sequestration in developing The relationship between carbon sequestration and
countries are underexplored. Mori and Grant and Le deforestation is not necessarily linear. Controlled
56
Billon suggest that REDD+ initiatives could promote land-use transitions, afforestation, and secondary
57
sustainable forest management. Pakistan, however, forest regeneration can help restore carbon storage
faces challenges in implementing such programs capacity following deforestation. Deforested land can
due to institutional weaknesses, limited funding, and be converted into sustainably managed plantations,
sociopolitical constraints. The study highlights the agroforestry systems, or protected afforestation zones to
negative effects of agricultural income, temperature, recover a portion of the carbon sequestration potential.

Volume 22 Issue 1 (2025) 55 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025050027