What are the limits to oil palm expansion

摘要: Abstract Palm oil production has boomed over the last decade, resulting in an expansion of global palm planting area from 10 to 17 Million hectares between 2000 and 2012. Previous studies showed that a significant share this come at expense tropical forests, notably Indonesia Malaysia, current centers. Governments developing emerging countries all regions increasingly promote cultivation as major contributor poverty alleviation, well food energy independence. However, being under pressure several non-governmental environmental organizations consumers, main traders have committed sourcing sustainable oil. Against backdrop we assess suitable land what are limits future when constraints considered. We find suitability is mainly determined by climatic conditions 1.37 billion for concentrated twelve countries. estimate half biophysically already allocated other uses, including protected areas which cover 30% area. Our results also highlight non-conversion high carbon stock forest (>100 t AGB/ha) would be most constraining factor it exclude two-thirds Combining eight criteria might restrict availability expansion, 234 million or 17% worldwide left. This seem far reached but one needs take into account some hardly accessible currently with only 18% remaining 2 h transportation closest city growing demand agricultural commodities compete not been yet taken account.